「〜わけにはいかない」- Cannot...

Explanation

「〜わけにはいかない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express "cannot..." or "unable to...". It indicates that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one is unable to perform a certain action. This pattern is often used to express obligations, responsibilities, or actions restricted by external conditions.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form + わけにはいかない	Verb Dictionary Form	Indicates that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot perform a certain action.
Verb Negative Form + わけにはいかない	Verb Negative Form	Indicates that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot avoid performing a certain action.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb Dictionary Form + わけにはいかない
• Verb Negative Form + わけにはいかない

Meaning

• Indicates that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot perform a certain action.
• Indicates that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot avoid performing a certain action.

Examples

• 今日きょうは 休やすむわけにはいかない。
• Kyou wa yasumu wake ni wa ikanai.
• I cannot take a break today.
  

• 彼かれの頼たのみを 断ことわるわけにはいかない。
• Kare no tanomi o kotowaru wake ni wa ikanai.
• I cannot refuse his request.
  

• 仕事しごとが 忙いそがしいので、早はやく帰かえるわけにはいかない。
• Shigoto ga isogashii node, hayaku kaeru wake ni wa ikanai.
• Because work is busy, I cannot go home early.
  

• 試験しけんが 近ちかいので、遊あそんでばかりいるわけにはいかない。
• Shiken ga chikai node, asonde bakari iru wake ni wa ikanai.
• Because the exam is near, I cannot just keep playing.
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜わけにはいかない」 and 「〜ないわけにはいかない」 express the meaning of "cannot...", they differ in usage and nuance.

Grammar Point	Usage	Meaning
〜わけにはいかない	Indicates inability to perform an action	Due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot perform a certain action
〜ないわけにはいかない	Indicates inability to avoid performing an action	Due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot avoid performing a certain action

Examples:

• 彼かれの頼たのみを 断ことわるわけにはいかない。
• Kare no tanomi o kotowaru wake ni wa ikanai.
• I cannot refuse his request.
  

• 彼かれの頼たのみを 断ことわらないわけにはいかない。
• Kare no tanomi o kotowaranai wake ni wa ikanai.
• I cannot avoid refusing his request.
  

Deep Dive

「〜わけにはいかない」 is primarily used to express that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot perform a certain action. It is often combined with words indicating obligations, responsibilities, or external constraints to create a stronger expression.

Summary

「〜わけにはいかない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express "cannot..." or "unable to...". It emphasizes that due to certain reasons or circumstances, one cannot perform a certain action. Mastering this pattern will help you better express limitations and constraints in both everyday conversations and formal situations.