Is it possible to express the difference between the English phrases "I don't want to do that" and "I don't want to have to do that"?


Is it possible to express the difference between the English phrases "I don't
want to do that" and "I don't want to have to do that"?

Where `I don't want to do that` can simply be それがしたくありません。

`I don't want to have to do that` means that you don't want it to be the case
that a certain action is necessary to accomplish something or resolve an
issue, etc.

An example situation might be a strong fighter is somewhat of a pacifist but
is told someone is coming to challenge him that won't let up until one of them
dies. The fighter is confident in his ability to win, and so says "I don't
want to have to do that (kill him)"

Grammatically, させられたくありません。should do it, but I can't say I've heard that in
actual use. Is there a more common expression? Or does this `want to have to`
way of thinking about things not work well in Japanese?




> Is it possible to express the difference between the English phrases "I
> don't want to do that" and "I don't want to have to do that"?

It is possible unless you want the Japanese "equivalent" for the second phrase
to grammatically "look like" the English.

When literal translations fail (and they fail frequently between Japanese and
English), there are often set phrases that convey the meaning/nuance of the
original to the target language.

The best match that I can think of would be:

「そんなこと（を）しなきゃならないなんて、（まっぴら）ごめんだ。」

followed by:

「そんなこと（を）するのは願{ねが}い下{さ}げだ。」

and perhaps:

「それだけは勘弁{かんべん}してほしい（or してくれ）。」

At the very least, I can guarantee the naturalness of the phrases above.

Your phrase 「させられたくありません。」 is actually "okay" except it sounding rather
textbook-like and overly polite. It is not something a fighter would say
before a match.




> Is it possible to express the difference between the English phrases "I
> don't want to do that" and "I don't want to have to do that"?

It is possible unless you want the Japanese "equivalent" for the second phrase
to grammatically "look like" the English.

When literal translations fail (and they fail frequently between Japanese and
English), there are often set phrases that convey the meaning/nuance of the
original to the target language.

The best match that I can think of would be:

「そんなこと（を）しなきゃならないなんて、（まっぴら）ごめんだ。」

followed by:

「そんなこと（を）するのは願{ねが}い下{さ}げだ。」

and perhaps:

「それだけは勘弁{かんべん}してほしい（or してくれ）。」

At the very least, I can guarantee the naturalness of the phrases above.

Your phrase 「させられたくありません。」 is actually "okay" except it sounding rather
textbook-like and overly polite. It is not something a fighter would say
before a match.

