Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 9: 9/13

なくてはならないMust do, Have to do

Also used to express duty or necessity. Click here if you are curious about なくて conjugation

Structure

Verb［ない］+ なくては + ならない
Verb［ない］+ なくちゃ + ならない

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Auxiliary Verb

  • Register

    Formal

About なくてはならない

Much like てはならない, なくてはならない states that something 'must not' be done. However, this is where the similarities end. なくてはならない is an example of a double negative in Japanese, and actually has the meaning '(A) must be done', or 'must do (A)'.

While this grammar point is usually translated as 'must do', the literal translation is 'must not, not do (A)'. This double 'not' is where many learners have difficulties. ならない simply means 'cannot become', and comes from the negative form of なる.

To use this structure, simply create the negative form of a verb, and then convert ない to なく (the conjunctive form of an い-Adjective), followed by て. After this, は is added, and then finally ならない.

ならない is considered to be the most formal structure out of ならない, いけない, and だめ. It is regularly used in formal writing, or semi-formal/formal speech. いけない (the most common variation) and だめ (the most casual variation) are also acceptable in many situations.

Caution

The ては in なくては is often shortened to ちゃ, as this is easier to say. なくちゃ may then be followed by ならない. However, due to ならない being quite formal, なくちゃ (a casual structure) will not be used with ならない on a regular basis. It is more common to see なくちゃ paired with いけない, or だめ.

  • 今日(きょう)は沢山(たくさん)走(はし)ったからシャワーを浴(あ)びなくちゃならない。
    Because I ran a lot today, I must take a shower.
  • バーベキューに肉(にく)を持(も)って行(い)かなくちゃいけない。
    I gotta bring meat to the barbeque.
  • 冬(ふゆ)になる前(まえ)にキャンプに行(い)かなくちゃだめだね。
    We gotta go camping before it becomes winter, right?

These casual structures are very similar to words like 'gotta' in English.

Examples

--:--

    毎日(まいにち)勉強(べんきょう)をしなくてはならない。

    You must do your studies every day.

    ３(さん)時(じ)半(はん)までに、銀行(ぎんこう)に行(い)かなくてはならない。

    By 3:30, I have to go to the bank.

    もう二時(にじ)ですか！まだお弁当(べんとう)食(た)べてないです。食(た)べなくてはならない。

    It's already two?! I haven't eaten my bento yet. I have to eat.

    京都(きょうと)で電車(でんしゃ)を降(お)りなくてはならない。

    I must get off the train in Kyoto.

    君(きみ)が決(き)めなくてはならないよ。

    You have to decide.

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なくてはならない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (33 in total)

  • Fripi

    Fripi

    I Feel you so much! I gave up and created a short cheat sheet to manage the forms + formality level and neighbouring forms as well. I was so annoyed about these forms it was surreal. Now I just use the cheat sheet to get it drilled into my head a bit better.

  • ddavo

    ddavo

    @Fripi Oh, can you share it please? I think it will be helpful for everyone.

  • Fripi

    Fripi

    I have made it by hand in my notes, so I have to physically go there to check on something… Therefore no digital copy of that and my handwriting is so bad I couldnt just take a picture

    It just adds all the forms I kept mistaking on one page and wrote specifically the requested form (Casual, Formal, Very Formal) behind them so i would end up with the right one. it still isn’t perfect, but I was beating myself up about it before and now I have zero stress and somehow already know it most of the time. Switched to give it one try without and then look up, if I still mess it up then use the “solve” button.

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