Structure
Verb[ない]+ わけにはいかない
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About ないわけにはいかない
As an extension of the grammar pattern 訳にはいかない 'can't afford to do (A)', or 'impossible to do (A)', ない訳にはいかない creates a double negative which is frequently translated simply as 'can't not (A)', or 'no way to avoid (A)'.
As this is a combination of the negated form of a verb, 訳 'reason', or 'logic', に, は, and the negated form of 行く, the literal meaning is just 'there's no reason that (A) can't be done', or 'it cannot be so that (A) won't be done'.
As this is a combination of the negated form of a verb, 訳 'reason', or 'logic', に, は, and the negated form of 行く, the literal meaning is just 'there's no reason that (A) can't be done', or 'it cannot be so that (A) won't be done'.
- いつもお世話になっている先輩の結婚式だから、行きたくなくても行かない訳にはいかない。It's the wedding of a senior who has always been a great help to me, so even if I didn't want to go, I can't not go.
- ダイエット中だからといって、何も食べない訳にはいかない。Just because I am on a diet doesn't mean that I can't not eat food.
- めんどくさいからと言って、宿題をしない訳にはいかない。Just because it's a hassle doesn't mean that you can't not do your homework.
Synonyms
ずにはいられない
Cannot help doing something, Cannot resist doing something
Not studied yet
てならない
Very, Extremely, Can't help but do
Not studied yet
なくはない
It's not that…, Kind of, might, Slightly, Somewhat, In some respects
Not studied yet
ざるを得ない
Can't help doing, Have no choice but
Not studied yet
てたまらない
Can't help but want to, Very, Extremely
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
面倒だからといって、打ち合わせをしないわけにはいかない。
Even though it is troublesome, there is no way to avoid having a meeting.
ケンカが気まずいからといって、彼女の誕生日パーティーに行かないわけにはいかない。
Just because it is awkward after a fight, you can't not go to her birthday party.
締切前だからといって、まったく寝ないわけにはいかない。
Even if it is just before the deadline, you can't not sleep at all.
受験生だからといって、アルバイトをしないわけにはいかない事情がある。
While I may be a student preparing for exams, I have a situation where I cannot avoid having a part time job.
慣れたメニューだとはいえ、味見しないわけにはいかない。
Although it is a menu I am used to, there is no way to avoid taste testing.
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わけにはいかない、わけがない
NihongoDayByDay
ないわけにはいかない in action
NihongoDayByDay
〜ないわけにはいかない
絵でわかる日本語
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 94
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ないわけにはいかない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (6 in total)
jakedesu2010
What is the difference between these two grammar structures? They seem to have the same meaning. Both share the basic meaning of “need to do.”
Cant help but doing =Vないではいらない
No way to avoid doing=Vないわけにはいかないwrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV
For ないではいらない and ないわけにはいかない I think the difference might be the first is more compulsory whereas the latter is more of a foregone conclusion. The English translations you listed tend to blur this distinction, but when you consider ないではいらない is “cannot resist” and ないわけにはいかない is “no way to avoid,” I think the nuance might come through a little better.
I got the いられない grammar points wrong several times before it started to sink in.
Fuga
Hey there!
They do have a very similar translation, but the nuance they have is different. ずにはいられない is used when you can’t help (control) yourself but to do something or act a certain way. ないわけにはいかない is usually used when you have to do something because there is an external force making you do something.
For example,
こんな美味しそうなケーキが目の前にあったら、食べずにはいられない。The nuance this carries is ‘If there was a cake that looks as delicious as this in front of me, I won’t be able to pass the opportunity to eat it (because I love cake and it looks delicious).’ In this sentence you have a reason why you cannot resist.友達が頑張って誕生日ケーキを作ってくれたから、不味くても食べないわけにはいかない。The nuance this has is ‘Because my friend tried their best and made me a birthday cake, there is no way I am not going to eat it even if it taste bad (because if I don’t eat it, it is going to hurt my friend’s feelings).’ In this sentence, you need to act a certain way because of a reason that is outside of your control.
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