Grammar › N3 · 08 Opinion, necessity & cannot-help

〜わけにはいかない: cannot (for reasons of duty)

N3 · 08 Opinion, necessity & cannot-help

Says one cannot do something because of duty, morals or circumstances.

Dictionary form + わけにはいかない. It is not about ability but about what is socially possible. 〜ないわけにはいかない means "cannot avoid doing", that is, must.

Examples

大事だいじな会議かいぎを休やすむわけにはいかない。

I cannot skip an important meeting.

ここで諦あきらめるわけにはいかないんだ。

I can't give up here.