〜わけにはいかない: You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

Dictionary

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

N2 KMT5NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedStrong Negation Or ImpossibilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + わけにはいかないPrimary

Verb [ない-form] + わけにはいかない

Verb [dictionary form] + わけにはいきません

Verb [ない-form] + わけにはいきません

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

大事な会議があるので、今日は仕事を休むわけにはいかない。

I have an important meeting, so I can't take the day off from work today.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingNecessityWork & Career

親友の結婚式ですから、出席しないわけにはいきません。

It's my best friend's wedding, so I have no choice but to attend.

PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingObligationFamily & Relationships

みんなが一生懸命働いていたので、自分だけ先に帰るわけにはいかなかった。

Everyone was working so hard, so I couldn't just leave and go home before them.

NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingObligationWork & Career Daily Life

約束を破るわけにはいかないので、気が進まないけどパーティーに行くことにした。

I can't break my promise, so even though I don't feel like it, I've decided to go to the party.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceNecessityEmotions & Psychology Daily Life

医者に止められているので、これ以上お酒を飲むわけにはいかない。

The doctor has forbidden it, so I can't drink any more alcohol.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionMedicine & Health Food & Dining

This phrase is like a strong invisible wall. It stops you from doing something. Or it pushes you to do something. It depends on the words you use with it.

This is different from "~wake ga nai." That means "no way something is true." It is also different from "~you ga nai." That means "there is no way to do something." "~Wake niwa ikanai" means you cannot do something because of rules or what is right.

Don't use this when talking about what someone else cannot do. For example, you wouldn't say "He cannot go." You use it for yourself. Or for your group. It shows a fight. Your will wants one thing. But outside rules stop you. You can say it for others. But only if you quote them. Or if you really understand their feelings.

Often confused with(1)

〜わけがない

This means 'there is no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. You use it when you are sure something cannot be true.

Contrasts with(5)

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

〜ないわけにはいかない

You use this phrase when you feel you must do something. It means you have no other choice. You feel a strong need to do it.

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

More formal alternatives(1)

〜っこない

This means 'no way' or 'impossible'. You use it when you strongly believe something cannot happen.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜どころではない

This means you cannot do something. It is not the right time or place. Something else is more important right now.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

ない形

This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

〜わけじゃない

You use this phrase to say that something is not true. It means 'it's not that...' or 'it doesn't mean that...'.

〜ないといけない

This means you must do something. It shows that an action is needed. You have to do it.

〜は (contrastive)

Marks an item for contrast, implying that the statement is true for the marked item but may not be for others, which can be stated or unstated. It is often used to soften a negative statement or to express partial agreement.

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Dictionary

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

N2 KMT5NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedStrong Negation Or ImpossibilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + わけにはいかないPrimary

Verb [ない-form] + わけにはいかない

Verb [dictionary form] + わけにはいきません

Verb [ない-form] + わけにはいきません

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

大事な会議があるので、今日は仕事を休むわけにはいかない。

I have an important meeting, so I can't take the day off from work today.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingNecessityWork & Career

親友の結婚式ですから、出席しないわけにはいきません。

It's my best friend's wedding, so I have no choice but to attend.

PoliteNon PastNegativeSentence EndingObligationFamily & Relationships

みんなが一生懸命働いていたので、自分だけ先に帰るわけにはいかなかった。

Everyone was working so hard, so I couldn't just leave and go home before them.

NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingObligationWork & Career Daily Life

約束を破るわけにはいかないので、気が進まないけどパーティーに行くことにした。

I can't break my promise, so even though I don't feel like it, I've decided to go to the party.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceNecessityEmotions & Psychology Daily Life

医者に止められているので、これ以上お酒を飲むわけにはいかない。

The doctor has forbidden it, so I can't drink any more alcohol.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionMedicine & Health Food & Dining

This phrase is like a strong invisible wall. It stops you from doing something. Or it pushes you to do something. It depends on the words you use with it.

Often confused with(1)

〜わけがない

This means 'there is no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. You use it when you are sure something cannot be true.

Contrasts with(5)

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

〜ないわけにはいかない

You use this phrase when you feel you must do something. It means you have no other choice. You feel a strong need to do it.

〜れる / 〜られる (potential form)

This grammar shows you can do something. It means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

More formal alternatives(1)

〜っこない

This means 'no way' or 'impossible'. You use it when you strongly believe something cannot happen.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜どころではない

This means you cannot do something. It is not the right time or place. Something else is more important right now.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

ない形

This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

〜わけじゃない

You use this phrase to say that something is not true. It means 'it's not that...' or 'it doesn't mean that...'.

〜ないといけない

This means you must do something. It shows that an action is needed. You have to do it.

〜は (contrastive)

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〜わけにはいかない

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with8

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(5)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites5

Track your mastery

〜わけにはいかない

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with8

Often confused with(1)

Contrasts with(5)

More formal alternatives(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites5

Track your mastery