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わけにはいかない Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression
cannot (due to external circumstances) ; must not ; no way one can
usually written using kana alone
Expresses that doing something is impossible or unacceptable because of external constraints, social norms, or moral obligations, not because of personal inability. Follows the dictionary form of a verb.
彼かれ の 頼たの み を 断ことわ る わけ に は いか なかっ た 。
I couldn't refuse his request (because of the situation).
Written forms 訳わけ にはいかない
Kanji spelling is possible but less common; learners may encounter it in formal writing.
わけには 行い かない
Mixed kana-kanji variant; 行く is used phonetically for いく.
訳わけ には 行い かない
Full kanji variant; very formal and uncommon.
Kanji 訳 translate, reason, circumstance 行 going, journey, carry out Similar words わけがない わけにはいかない expresses impossibility due to external circumstances or moral duty, while わけがない expresses a strong logical denial ('there is no way that...').
てはいけない てはいけない is a direct prohibition ('must not do'), often based on rules or the speaker's authority. わけにはいかない is softer, implying that external factors make the action impossible or unacceptable.
Etymology Combination of わけ (reason, circumstances) + には (particle) + いかない (cannot go). Literally 'cannot go with the reason/circumstances', it developed into a fixed expression meaning 'cannot do something due to external constraints'.
