Structure
Verb + わけにはいかない
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About わけにはいかない
わけにはいかない is a statement that combines わけ 'to be so', 'reason', or 'cause', with the case marking particle に, the adverbial particle は, and the 'cannot go' meaning of 行かない. It can be translated as 'cannot afford to (A)', or 'impossible to (A)'. However, the literal meaning is much closer to 'it cannot be so that (A)'.
This structure will be used directly after the non-past form of verbs, in order to highlight them as being either highly undesirable, or highly unattainable.
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この料理は妻が頑張って作ってくれたやつだから、不味くても残すわけにはいかない。
This food is something that my wife tried her best to make for me, so even if it tastes bad, there's no way that I can leave it.
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明日は人手が足りないから、休むわけにはいかない。
Since we are short-handed tomorrow, I cannot afford to take a day off.
Although わけにはいかない primarily highlights things that are undesirable, it may also highlight something that is desirable, but impossible for some reason. This will depend largely on the speaker's tone of voice, and context of the conversation.
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このジャケットが欲しいけど、今月はお金を使い過ぎたから買うわけにはいかない。
I want this Jacket, but because I spent too much money this month, it cannot be so that I buy it.
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先輩に誘われたから、断るわけにはいかない。
I was invited by my senpai, so there is no way that I can decline the offer.
In these types of sentences, the expression is quite similar to the 'I guess it's just not meant to be so' nuance that can be conveyed in English, highlighting regret.
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Examples
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僕はその問題を黙って見過ごす訳には行かない。
I cannot afford to silently overlook that problem.
まだやるべきことがあるから、死ぬ訳には行かないんだ!
I can't afford to die, because there are still some things I have to do!
大統領に頼まれたので断る訳には行かない。
Since I was asked by the president I can't afford to say no.
それは捨てる訳には行きません。大切な人からもらったんです。
I can't afford to throw it away. I got it from my special someone.
まだ許す訳には行きません。ちゃんと反省してないでしょ。
I can't afford to forgive you yet. You haven't taken the time to properly reflect on what you have done.
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Further breakdown and exercises
MLC Japanese
The difference between 「いけない」 and 「いかない」
Japanese StackExchange
The various uses of わけ
Tae Kim
Very thorough breakdown in Japanese
nihongo day by day
接続・意味・使い方・例文
にほんごの里
Offline
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 93
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 286
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