InitialJ
N2prohibitionobligation

～わけにはいかない (wake niwa ikanai) - Cannot / Must not

[Verb dictionary form] + わけにはいかない

Quick answer

[Verb dictionary form] + わけにはいかない means "Cannot / Must not / Unable to for social reasons". This N2 pattern appears often in everyday conversation. Examples and practice exercises are listed below.

Meaning

Cannot / Must not / Unable to for social reasons

Explanation

Expresses that something cannot be done due to social, moral, or situational constraints.

Examples

約束したから、行かないわけにはいかない。
やくそくしたから、いかないわけにはいかない。
Since I promised, I cannot not go.
約—Promise束—Bundle
仕事を辞めるわけにはいかない。
しごとをやめるわけにはいかない。
I cannot quit my job.
事—Thing (abstract)辞—Word

Practice this grammar

[Verb dictionary form] + わけにはいかない

Which sentence correctly uses "～わけにはいかない (wake niwa ikanai) - Cannot / Must not"?

Vocabulary from these examples

約PromiseN3束BundleN3辞WordN3約Approximately束Bunch事Thing (abstract)

Last updated Jul 4, 2026