12.8 ～わけだ — That Is Why / No Wonder

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Overview

Learn ～わけだ and its negative forms. This N3-level pattern is used to draw logical conclusions and is also the source of common expressions like わけがない and わけではない.

～わけだ — logical conclusion

Plain form + わけだ

～わけだ draws a logical conclusion from previously established facts. It means "that is why", "no wonder", or "so that means".

。。

You've been practicing every day. No wonder you're good.

じゅう10。。

He lived in Japan for 10 years. That explains why his Japanese is good.

～わけではない / ～わけじゃない — doesn't mean / not necessarily

This negative form is used to deny a conclusion someone might assume:

。

It's not that I dislike it (I don't hate it

it's just…).

。

It's not that I can't do it.

This is very useful for softening statements and clarifying that a natural assumption is wrong.

～わけがない / ～わけはない — no way / impossible

Expresses that something is logically impossible:

。

There's no way he would do such a thing.

。

There's no way it can be done in one day.

～わけにはいかない — can't bring myself to / not allowed to

。

I can't just leave today (circumstances prevent it).

Summary

Form	Meaning
～わけだ	that's why; no wonder; so…
～わけではない	it doesn't mean; not necessarily
～わけがない	no way; logically impossible
～わけにはいかない	can't bring myself to; mustn't

Dialogue

あAきごう：なんでたなか田中さんはこんなにいそがしい忙しいんですか。 bBきごう：まいにち毎日ざんぎょう残業しているわけですよ。みっつ3つのぷろじぇくとプロジェクトをかけもち掛け持ちしているんです。

あAきごう：あまりすき好きじゃないんですか。 bBきごう：きらい嫌いなわけじゃないんですが、まいにち毎日はすこし少しきごう…

あAきごう：もうかえって帰ってもいいですよ。 bBきごう：いま今はかえる帰るわけにはいきません。しごと仕事がおわっていない終わっていないので。

A: Why is Tanaka-san so busy? B: That's why he's always doing overtime. He's juggling three projects.

A: Do you not like it that much? B: It's not that I dislike it, it's just every day is a bit…

A: You can go home now. B: I can't just leave now. My work isn't done.

New words

12.7 Purpose and Reason: ために

12.9 ～ものだ — The Way Things Are

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