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〜なければならない

must, have to

Verb ない-stem + なければならない / なりません

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なければならない means "must" or "have to": 薬を飲まなければならない, "I have to take my medicine". It's built from the ない form: ない → なければ ("if not") + ならない ("it won't do"). So, literally, "if I don't take it, it won't do".

Politely: なければなりません. なければいけません means the same and is equally common; both are accepted here.

It's long, so speech shortens it a lot: 飲まなきゃ, 飲まないと. You'll hear those far more often than the full form in anime and conversation.

For "don't have to", see the next point.

Register: なければいけない means the same; なきゃ is the casual shortcut.

Examples

  • 明日あしたは六時ろくじに起おきなければなりません。

    I have to get up at six tomorrow.

  • 毎日まいにち、薬くすりを飲のまなければならない。

    I have to take my medicine every day.

  • 今日中きょうじゅうに宿題しゅくだいをしなければなりません。

    I have to finish my homework today.

  • 明日あしたまでにレポートを書かかなければならない。

    I have to write a report by tomorrow.

  • すみません、もう帰かえらなければなりません。

    Sorry, I have to go home now.

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