Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 8: 12/18

ないとMust, Have to

ないとならない is generally not used and is best avoided

Structure

Verb［ない］+ と + （いけない(1)）

(1) だめ

Details

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    Casual

About ないと

As an extension of the 'if' meaning of と, attaching the auxiliary verb ない to the verb before it will express 'if (A) is not done, (B)'. (B) is most frequently いけない 'cannot go', which makes ないといけない a double negative phrase, which translates to 'must do (A)', or 'have to do (A)'.

いけない may be replaced with だめ, to make the phrase more casual, but ならない is generally not used with ないと.

ないといけない is regularly abbreviated to ないと, but has exactly the same meaning in these cases.

Caution

As と has the 'and' nuance, it gives ないと a level of strength that is not seen in similar phrases like なければいけない, or なくてはいけない. Because of this, ないと is often used to highlight things which absolutely 'must' be done (obeying the law, adhering to customs, using common sense, etc.).

Related

Examples

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    「約束(やくそく)を守(まも)らないといけません！」

    'You have to keep your promise!' (must)

    「なぜ、税金(ぜいきん)を払(はら)わないといけないのですか？」

    'Why do I have to pay taxes?' (must)

    「子(こ)沢山(だくさん)だから、一週間(いっしゅうかん)に三十回(さんじゅっかい)は洗濯(せんたく)しないとだめ。」

    'There are lots of children, so I have to do laundry thirty times a week.' (must)

    「合格(ごうかく)したらまず両親(りょうしん)や先生(せんせい)に伝(つた)えないと。」

    'If I pass, I have to tell my parents and teacher first!' (must)

    「ピーナッツにアレルギーがあると言(い)っておかないといけないんだ。」

    'I have to tell (you) in advance that I am allergic to peanuts.' (must)

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