ない訳にはいかない (nai wake ni wa ikanai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Can't Not Do Something

The expression ない訳(わけ)にはいかない (nai wake ni wa ikanai) means can't not do something, no way to avoid doing something which implies must do something.

We will also see the use of the dictionary form (affirmative plain form) combined with 訳(わけ)にはいかない with the meaning of can't do something.

How ない訳(わけ)にはいかない is formed

The expression ない訳(わけ)にはいかない is formed

• by the negative of the verb ある be, exist, ない not be, not exist
• by the noun 訳 wake meaning reason, circumstance
• by the particle に indicating the place and the time emphasised by the presence of は
• and by いかない the negative plain form of the verb いく go, いかない not to go

The expression contains double negatives and the meaning is:

• それをしなければならない: must, must do, must perfom the action

In the polite form いかない is replaced by いきません.

How and when to use ない訳(わけ)にはいかない

This expression is used when referring to an action that can't be avoided. Due to external causes and circumstances or to personal considerations, the subject can't help but perform that action.

It is used when providing explanations, excuses or reasons why the subject can't avoid performing a certain action.

• Example of an external circumstance

• Personal consideration

Dictionary form + 訳(わけ)にはいかない

The same expression is used with the verb in the dictionary form that is the affirmative plain form.

Again, for circumstances, external causes or personal reflections, できない, it is not possible to perform the action.

In the given example, the noun of the expression 訳 reason is emphasised: it is not logical to think that a person can drown in the desert.

＊ The term 禁(きん)止(し)令(れい) contains the words 禁(きん)止(し) meaning prohibition and 令(れい) order, ordinance.

Examples of 訳(わけ)にはいかない