Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 9: 9/16

なければならない

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 Legend

Structure

Verb[ない] + ければ + ならない
Verb[ない] + きゃ + ならない

Details

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    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About なければならない

Like なければいけない, なければならない 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 become', or more simply '(A) cannot not be done'.
To make this construction, the auxiliary verb ない will need to be conjugated with , creating なければ (if not). After this, ならない (to not become) will be added to the end.
  • 仕事(しごと)なければならない
    I must do my work.
  • 先輩(せんぱい)部屋(へや)(はい)()たら()挨拶(あいさつ)なければならない
    If your senpai comes into the room, you must stand and greet them.
As we 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 ならない.
  • 今日(きょう)(かえ)(おそ)くなったら(つま)(おこ)れるから、もうすぐ(かえ)なきゃ
    My wife is going to scold me if I come home late today too, so I have to go home soon.
  • 今日(きょう)家事(かじ)やらなきゃならないから()かけられない
    I have to do some chores today, so I can't go out.
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

  • たくない(とき)でも宿題(しゅくだい)なければならない

    Even when you don't want to, you have to do your homework.

  • 飛行機(ひこうき)()りたいなら空港(くうこう)()なければならない

    If you want to ride an airplane, you have to go to the airport.

  • 先生(せんせい)(はなし)()なければならない

    You have to listen to the teacher (talk).

  • (かみ)()(なが)から()なければならない

    My hair is long, so I have to cut it.

  • (あたら)しいノート()なければならないかもしれない

    I might have to buy a new notebook.

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