cannot possibly, must not, cannot afford to

Advanced

25-30 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses that something cannot be done due to social, moral, or circumstantial reasons.

[Verb dictionary form] + わけにはいかない

約束したので、行かないわけにはいかない。

Yakusoku shita node, ikanai wake ni wa ikanai.

I promised, so I cannot possibly not go.

秘密なので、話すわけにはいかない。

Himitsu na node, hanasu wake ni wa ikanai.

It is a secret, so I cannot possibly tell you.

Not the same as できない - わけにはいかない implies external constraints.

～わけがない

there is no way, impossible that

～ないわけにはいかない

must do, have to do, cannot not do

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Used when external factors prevent an action.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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