N3 Advice, Obligation, and Prohibition

~わけにはいかない: meaning, usage and examples

~わけにはいかない means: can't... (due to social/moral obligation or circumstances).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. この宿題しゅくだいが終おわるまで、寝ねるわけにはいきません。

   Until I finish this homework, I can't just go to bed.

2. 大事だいじな会議かいぎがあるから、休やすむわけにはいかない。

   I have an important meeting, so I can't take the day off.

3. 先生せんせいにもらった本ほんだから、捨すてるわけにはいきません。

   My teacher gave me this book, so I can't very well throw it away.

4. 明日あしたは試験しけんだから、遊あそびに行いくわけにはいかない。

   I have an exam tomorrow, so I can't just go out and have fun.

When to use it

わけにはいかない means you cannot do something because of duty, responsibility, or social reasons, even though it is physically possible: "I can't very well," "I can't just." For example, 先輩せんぱいに誘さそわれたから、断ことわるわけにはいかない. The double negative ないわけにはいかない means "I have to," "I have no choice but to."

Nuance

Shows a sense of responsibility or of what others would think. It is not about ability: you could do it, but it would not be right. Neutral register, used in speech and writing; わけにはいきません is the polite form.

Compare

できない is about ability: 泳およげない. わけにはいかない is about what is acceptable. しかない means only one option is left: 歩あるくしかない. ないわけにはいかない and しかない both mean "have to," but the first comes from duty and the second from a lack of options.

Tip: Read it as "I can't very well..." That English phrase matches the feeling almost exactly.