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
使用域
硬い
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.
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.
- 来月に友達の結婚式に行かなければいけない。Next month, I have to go to my friend's wedding. (Not going to the wedding is not going to work)
- 車は駐車場に止めなければいけない。Cars have to be parked in parking lots. (Not being parked in a parking lot is unacceptable)
- ここで話している場合じゃない。息子を迎えに行かなきゃ。This is not the time to talk here, I have to go pick up my son.
- 宿題で、調べなきゃいけない事があるから、パソコン貸して。Since I need to look up something for my homework, would you please lend me your computer?
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).Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
仕事に行かなければいけない。
I have to go to work.
冬になったら、暖房をつけなければいけません。
When winter comes, I will have to turn on the heater.
覚えにくいけど、覚えなければいけません。
It is difficult to remember, but I must (remember).
兄みたいに大学に行かなければいけないと言われました。
I was told that I have to go to college like my older brother.
頭が痛すぎて、薬を飲まなければいけない。
My head hurts so much that I must take medicine.
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なければいけない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (11 in total)
IcyIceBear
It’s a combination of ようにする and なければいけない.
書けるようにする try to be able to write
する⇒しない⇒しなければいけない have to
書けるようにしなければいけない have to try to be able to write (katakana and hiragana by next week)TurboSushi1
Thank you for clearing that up!
5quirrel
If it’s an interchangeable expression with なくてはいけない is there a trick to knowing which the review is asking for?
Or am I missing something?
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