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うまくいかない (umaku ikanai) - not go well

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression (verb phrase)

neutral

How it works

This is the negative form of 'うまくいく' (umaku iku), meaning 'to go well' or 'to succeed'. It combines the adverbial form 'うまく' (umaku, meaning 'well' or 'skillfully') with the negative plain form of the verb 'いく' (iku, meaning 'to go'). It describes a situation or plan that is not progressing as desired or is failing.

Sample sentences

最近、仕事がうまくいかないんだ。

Lately, work hasn't been going well.

彼女との関係がうまくいかず、悩んでいます。

My relationship with her isn't going well, and I'm worried.

何をやってもうまくいかない日もある。

There are some days when nothing goes well, no matter what you do.

Quick facts

politeness:The phrase 'うまくいかない' is in the plain negative form. For more polite speech, it would be 'うまくいきません' (umaku ikimasen) or 'うまくいきません' (umaku ikimasen).

Often used with

仕事がうまくいかない (shigoto ga umaku ikanai - work isn't going well)

人間関係がうまくいかない (ningen kankei ga umaku ikanai - relationships aren't going well)

全てがうまくいかない (subete ga umaku ikanai - everything isn't going well)

計画がうまくいかない (keikaku ga umaku ikanai - the plan isn't going well)

何をやってもうまくいかない (nani o yattemo umaku ikanai - no matter what I do, it doesn't go well)

Mnemonic

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Example

最近、仕事がうまくいかないんだ。

Lately, work hasn't been going well.

彼女との関係がうまくいかず、悩んでいます。

My relationship with her isn't going well, and I'm worried.