How to Say ‘Doesn't go well; doesn't work’ in Japanese
いかない
ika nai
[ee-kah nai]
💬 Usage Tip: [いかない] here means “doesn’t go.” In expressions like [うまくいかない], it means things aren’t working out.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a very common way to talk about frustration indirectly. Instead of “I failed,” someone may say things [うまくいかない].
Phrase Breakdown
いか
ika
[ee-kah]
go
From 行く; in this expression it means 'to go' as in progress or outcome.
最近は何もいかない感じがします。
Lately, it feels like nothing is going right.
ない
nai
[nai]
not; does not
Negative ending; with いか it forms 'doesn't go well.'
仕事がうまくいかないです。
Work isn't going well.
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