Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 9: 8/16

なければいけないMust do, Have to do

Verb[ない]+と+いけない/ならない is also used to express duty or necessity.

Structure

Verb［ない］ + なければ + いけない
Verb［ない］ + なきゃ + いけない

Details

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    Formal

About なければいけない

Like なくてはいけない, なければいけない is a structure that implies that something 'must be done'. However, it is important to remember that this is actually a double negative, and therefore means 'If (A) is not done, it cannot go', or more simply '(A) cannot not be done'.

To make this construction, the auxiliary verb ない will need to be conjugated with ば, creating なければ (if not). After this, いけない (to not be able to go) will be added to the end.

As learned in the なきゃ lesson, なければ may be shortened to なきゃ. This structure is frequently used either with or without the added いけない.

Caution

While いけない (to not be able to go) and ならない (to not become) are quite similar, ならない will rarely be used outside of formal situations, or in writing. Due to this, いけない will be heard much more frequently in speech (when it is not omitted).

Examples

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    仕事(しごと)に行(い)かなければいけない。

    I have to go to work.

    冬(ふゆ)になったら、暖房(だんぼう)をつけなければいけません。

    When winter comes, I will have to turn on the heater.

    覚(おぼ)えにくいけど、覚(おぼ)えなければいけません。

    It is difficult to remember, but I must remember.

    すごく汚(よご)れたから洗(あら)わなければいけない。

    Because it is very dirty, I must wash it.

    彼(かれ)に会(あ)いたくないけど、会(あ)わなければいけません。

    I don't want to see him, but I must (meet him).

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