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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    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.
  • 来月(らいげつ)に友達(ともだち)の結婚式(けっこんしき)に行(い)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(くるま)は駐車場(ちゅうしゃじょう)に止(と)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)
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.
  • ここで話(はな)している場合(ばあい)じゃない。息子(むすこ)を迎(むか)えに行(い)かなきゃ。
    This is not the time to talk here, I have to go pick up my son.
  • 宿題(しゅくだい)で、調(しら)べなきゃいけない事(こと)があるから、パソコン貸(か)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).

Examples

  • 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).

  • 兄(あに)みたいに大学(だいがく)に行(い)かなければいけないと言(い)われました。

    I was told that I have to go to college like my older brother.

  • 頭(あたま)が痛(いた)すぎて、薬(くすり)を飲(の)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 (10 in total)

  • TurboSushi1

    TurboSushi1

    What is happening to 書く in this sentence for the grammar なければいけない.

    来週までにカタカナとひらがなを書けるようにしなければいけない。(する)

    Can someone break the 書く conjugation down and explain why it’s used with the に particle.

  • IcyIceBear

    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

    TurboSushi1

    Thank you for clearing that up!

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