What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "if [one] does not [do], it will not do", combining a negative conditional "if not" with a verb meaning "it will not suffice" or "it won't do".
Which one should you use?
While なければならない expresses a strong, often objective necessity, the colloquial なきゃいけない is more common in daily speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the setting. For formal situations, you can use しなければなりません, なければいけません or なくてはなりません. For informal or casual situations, you can use しなきゃ, which is a contraction of しなければ or しないといけない. The contracted form なきゃいけない is also a casual way to convey a sense of obligation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To create the polite form なければなりません, the final verb naranai is changed to its polite form narimasen.
How do you pronounce it?
nakereba naranai
Did you know?
- While いけない (ikenai) in なきゃいけない is used for 'have to', its root meaning is 'cannot go'. The phrase literally suggests that if you don't do something, you 'cannot go forward'.
- Japanese speakers often avoid using なければならない when speaking about their own obligations to others to avoid sounding too rigid or robotic. They may instead use expressions that suggest a desire or a plan.
- The distinction between ならない and いけない often comes down to whether the obligation feels like a universal rule or a personal mistake.
Examples in context
- 買い物に行かなければならない。I have to go shopping.This sentence shows how to use なければならない to say you have to go shopping.Tatoeba #121503 by small_snow, translation #282502 by CK
- 私は勉強しなければならないですか。Do I have to study?This sentence uses なければならない to form a question about whether you have to study.Tatoeba #236829 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #261646 by CK
- 何をすべきか、考えなければならない。I have to think about what needs to be done.This sentence uses なければならない to express the necessity of thinking about what needs to be done.Tatoeba #187604 by bunbuku, translation #3477919 by CK
- 明日の朝早く出勤しなければなりません。I have to come to work early tomorrow morning.
- 掃除をしなければいけません。I have to clean.
- 宿題を終わらせなくてはなりません。I have to finish my homework.
- 今晩、練習しなきゃ。I have to practice tonight.
- 明日、買い物に行かないといけない。I have to go shopping tomorrow.
- ゲームをしたいのだけど、宿題をしなきゃいけない。I want to play games, but I have to do my homework.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about their homework.
- 美咲 Misaki宿題を早く終わらせなければならない。Shukudai o hayaku owarasenakereba naranai.I have to finish my homework quickly.
- 健太 Kenta私も同じだよ。難しいよね。Watashi mo onaji da yo. Muzukashii yo ne.Me too. It's difficult, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki明日までに提出しなければならないし。Ashita made ni teishutsu shinakereba naranai shi.And I have to submit it by tomorrow.
- 健太 Kentaじゃあ、一緒に頑張ろう。Jaa, issho ni ganbarou.Then, let's do our best together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
