How to say "cannot" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- expression, prenominal modifierA literary term covering both 'cannot' (impossibility) and 'must not' (prohibition); it gives writing an emphatic, bookish tone and is seldom heard in everyday conversation.
- expressionUse this when external circumstances — duty, social obligation, the situation itself — make something impossible: you cannot afford to do it or must not, as when work or propriety leaves you no choice.
- expressionA variant of わけにはいかない with the same senses: something is impossible or impermissible because external circumstances, duty or obligation leave you no choice; the two are interchangeable.
- expressionA casual spoken word of western Japan, especially the Kansai region, meaning something cannot be done, is not allowed or must not be done; it belongs to everyday conversation, not formal writing.
- expressionA literary form whose natural home is set written phrases and prohibitive signs; for actually saying 'cannot' it is seldom the word you want, being far too bookish for ordinary speech.
For 'cannot' forced by circumstances, use 「わけにはいかない」 or its variant 「わけにはいけない」; 「あかん」 says the same thing casually in western Japan; 「べからざる」 and 「べからず」 are literary forms for formal writing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
