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ない訳にはいかない (nai wake ni wa ikanai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Can't Not Do Something

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'ない訳にはいかない (nai wake ni wa ikanai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Can't Not Do Something'

Anna Baffa Volpe

The expression ない(わけ)にはいかない (nai wake ni wa ikanai) means can't not do something, no way to avoid doing something which implies must do something.

We will also see the use of the dictionary form (affirmative plain form) combined with (わけ)にはいかない with the meaning of can't do something.


How ない(わけ)にはいかない is formed

The expression ない(わけ)にはいかない is formed

  • by the negative of the verb ある be, exist, ない not be, not exist
  • by the noun wake meaning reason, circumstance
  • by the particle indicating the place and the time emphasised by the presence of
  • and by いかない the negative plain form of the verb いく go, いかない not to go

The expression contains double negatives and the meaning is:

  • それをしなければならない: must, must do, must perfom the action
Negative plain form ない+(わけ)にはいかない

In the polite form いかない is replaced by いきません.

How and when to use ない(わけ)にはいかない

This expression is used when referring to an action that can't be avoided. Due to external causes and circumstances or to personal considerations, the subject can't help but perform that action.

It is used when providing explanations, excuses or reasons why the subject can't avoid performing a certain action.

  • Example of an external circumstance

明日(あした)はテストがあるので今日(きょう)(べん)(きょう)しない(わけ)にはいかない。

I have a test tomorrow, so I can't help but study today.

  • Personal consideration

(だい)()(とも)(だち)(けつ)(こん)(しき)だから、(さん)()しないわけにはいかない。

It's an important friend's wedding, I can't not attend.

japanesegrammar
()べない(わけ)にはいかない: can't help eating

(こう)(れい)(しゃ)(けん)(こう)(いち)(ばん)()べないわけにはいかない。

Health is the most important thing for the elderly, they can't help eating (these foods).

Dictionary form + (わけ)にはいかない

The same expression is used with the verb in the dictionary form that is the affirmative plain form.

Again, for circumstances, external causes or personal reflections, できない, it is not possible to perform the action.

明日(あした)テストなので、()(わけ)にはいかない。

I have a test tomorrow, so I can't go to bed.

(しゃ)(ちょう)がスピーチをするので、トイレへ()くわけにはいきません。

The President will be giving a speech, so it won't be possible to go to the bathroom.

()(ばく)(おぼ)れるわけにはいかない。

We can't drown in the desert.

In the given example, the noun of the expression 訳 reason is emphasised: it is not logical to think that a person can drown in the desert.

We can't lose! It's a prohibition order.
()ける(わけ)にはいかない! We can't lose!

()ける(わけ)にはいかない!(きん)()(れい)

We can't lose! It's a prohibition order.

* The term (きん)()(れい) contains the words (きん)() meaning prohibition and (れい) order, ordinance.

Examples of (わけ)にはいかない

イタリアに()てジェラートを()べないわけにはいかない。

You can't visit Italy and not eat gelato.

そんな(はなし)()くと(わら)わないわけにはいかない。

I can't help but laugh when I hear that story.

(くるま)()ているので、今日(きょう)はお(さけ)()むわけにはいかない。

I'm here by car, so I can't drink alcohol today.