Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 17/20

ない(わけ)にはいかない

Can't not, No way to avoid

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[ない]+ わけにはいかない

Details

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About ないわけにはいかない

As an extension of the grammar pattern (わけ)にはいかない 'can't afford to do (A)', or 'impossible to do (A)', ない(わけ)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, (わけ) 'reason', or 'logic', に, は, and the negated form of ()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(せわ)になっている先輩(せんぱい)結婚式(けっこんしき)だから、()きたくなくても()ない(わけ)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(ちゅう)だからといって、(なに)()ない(わけ)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()って、宿題(しゅくだい)をしない(わけ)にはいかない
    Just because it's a hassle doesn't mean that you can't not do your homework.
Compared to other similar structures like なければならない, ないといけない, and various others, ない(わけ)にはいかない implies that there are some circumstances as to why (A) cannot be avoided, so will often be used when giving an excuse or reasoning as to why one must do (A).

Examples

  • 面倒(めんどう)だからといって、()()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()まずいからといって、彼女(かのじょ)誕生日(たんじょうび)パーティー()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(しめきり)(まえ)だからといって、まったく()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(じゅけんせい)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(じじょう)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.

  • ()れたメニューだとはいえ、味見(あじみ)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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ないわけにはいかない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

  • jakedesu2010

    jakedesu2010

    About 1 year ago

    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

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    About 1 year ago

    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

    Fuga

    About 1 year ago

    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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