わけにはいかない

わ

け

に

は

い

か

な

い

Meanings

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.

約やく束そくしたので、行いかないわけにはいかない。
I promised, so I can't just not go.
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).

Grammar

わけにはいかないcan't very well; can't very well notN3

Kanji

訳translate, reason, circumstance
行going, journey, carry out

Related 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.

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.

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'.