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Formation: V-dictionary + わけにはいかない (cannot do); V-ない + わけにはいかない (must do)

Means that the speaker can't do something because of a social, moral or situational reason, not because they lack the ability. With a negative verb, ないわけにはいかない means one has no choice but to do something one would rather not. It is usually about the speaker's own position and is common in both speech and writing; わけにもいかない adds 'and I can't do that either'. Compare 〜ざるを得ない, which also means being forced by circumstances but stresses reluctance, and 〜ようがない, which means there is simply no way or means to do it. Plain ことができない is about ability or possibility, not obligation.

Variants: 〜わけにもいかない、〜わけにはいきません、〜わけにはいかず、〜わけにいかない

Examples

• 明日は大事な会議があるので、休むわけにはいかない。
  I have an important meeting tomorrow, so I can't take the day off.
• 恩師の頼みとあっては、断るわけにはいかない。
  Since it's a request from my old teacher, I can't say no.
• 先輩の誘いだから、行かないわけにはいかない。
  It's an invitation from a senior colleague, so I can't not go.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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