How do you say "Not go well" in Japanese?

"Not go well" in Japanese is "うまくいかない". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Not go well’ in Japanese

Q: What does "うまくいかない" mean in English?

"うまくいかない" means "Not go well" in English. Usage tip: A super useful phrase meaning “not going well” or “not working out.” Perfect for describing the kind of frustration that can make someone feel down.

うまくいかない

umaku ika nai

[oo-mah-koo ee-kah nah-ee]

💬 Usage Tip: A super useful phrase meaning “not going well” or “not working out.” Perfect for describing the kind of frustration that can make someone feel down.

🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is common in school, work, relationships—basically any life drama. It sounds honest without being overly dramatic.

Phrase Breakdown

うまく

umaku

[oo-mah-koo]

well; successfully

Shows doing something in a good or skillful way.

Example

うまくできなくて、うまくいかない。

I can't do it well, so it isn't going well.

いかない

ika nai

doesn’t go; doesn’t work

Negative form of 行く here, meaning something is not going as planned.

Example

今日はうまくいかない。

Things aren’t going well today.

Words in this phrase

いか

ika

[ee-kah]

go; proceed

From the verb meaning to go; here it means something proceeds.

Example

話が思ったようにいかない。

Things aren't going the way I thought.

ない

nai

[nah-ee]

not

Negative ending meaning something does not happen or is not the case.

Example

今日は元気がない。

I don't have energy today.

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