N2 Grammar ④ わけにはいかない
Can't possibly / absolutely must — moral obligation expressions
'I can't leave a child alone here.' 'I made a promise, so I can't not go.' — わけにはいかない is about social and moral obligation, not physical ability.
What you'll learn
- わけにはいかない: morally/socially can't — 'I can't possibly ~'
- ないわけにはいかない: double negative = must do — 'can't not ~'
- わけがない: factual impossibility — 'no way' (different meaning!)
- わけではない: negates assumption — 'it's not that I ~'
JLPT N2 Japanese self-study — interactive practice, instant feedback, completely free.