Ebook

なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - To Be Necessary

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - To Be Necessary'

Anna Baffa Volpe

The structure なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) means must do, have to do, be necessary to do, need to do.

They express duty and necessity.

This is one of the various forms that translate the verb must.

In this post we will also see some examples with another structure for the verb must: なければならない.


How なければいけない is formed

Let's analyze this locution to understand its meaning:

  • なければ is the conditional form of ない ⇨ if there is not, if it is not
  • いけない means it is not good, it can't go, it is not acceptable

⇨ if it is not, it is no good ⇨ it must be, it is necessary

Example with the Ichidan Verb: ()める, decide

()める
()
()
()なければいけない

⇨ I have to decide, I must decide

Example with the Godan Verb: ()call

B1 or Negative Base ending in A +なければいけない
()
()
()
()なければいけない

⇨ I have to call, I must call

How and when なければいけない is used

なければいけない is used in situations where there is a need to do something, and it expresses a sense of obligation or necessity.

It refers to something that must be done or that is necessary and appropriate to do. It is often used in the first person.

(べん)(きょう)しなければいけない。

I must study.

Or: It is necessary for me to study

()()(りょ)(こう)(じゅん)()をしなければいけない。

I have to prepare for the trip this afternoon.

なければいけない and なければならない

A similar structure we find to express the verb must is なければならない. As we have seen, なければ is the conditional form of the verb ない which means if there is not, if it is not. ならない: doesn't become is the negative form of the verb なる meaning become. ⇨ if it is not, it doesn't become ⇨ it must be

明日(あした)()(けん)がありますから、9()までに(がっ)(こう)()かなければなりません。

Tomorrow I have an exam, so I have to be at school by 9am.

(こん)(ばん)(はや)()なければいけない。

I have to go to bed early tonight.

In general, the two expressions なければならない and なければいけない are interchangeable, but there is a subtle difference in meaning. なければならない has a strong tone and usually indicates that something must be done due to some kind of obligation, responsibility, or command. On the other hand, なければいけない is used for something that must be done for an inevitable reason, and there is a reason why it must be done. It is often used in the first person. If we say:

(かい)()(しゅっ)(せき)しなければならない。

I have to attend the meeting.

it means that I received an order in the company, from a superior. Instead:

(かい)()(しゅっ)(せき)しなければいけない。

I have to attend the meeting.

it means that my presence at the meeting is necessary and inevitable.

なきゃいけない

In a colloquial and informal context, the same structure can be found in the variant:

なきゃ+ いけない whose なきゃ is the contraction form.

(かれ)には(ほん)(とう)のことを(はな)さなきゃいけない。

I have to tell him the truth.

なきゃ is often used singularly as a shortened form of なければならない or なければいけない.

()かなきゃ!

We have to go!

なくちゃ is another informal and colloquial variant of なければならない or なければいけない.

あと5(ふん)(でん)(しゃ)()るから、(いそ)がなくちゃ。

The train is coming in five minutes, so we have to hurry.

Why should I eat vegetables?
どうして()(さい)()べなきゃいけないの?

どうして()(さい)()べなきゃいけないの?

Why should I eat vegetables?

Examples of なければいけない

この()(ごと)()わらせるためには、もっと(しゅう)(ちゅう)しなければいけない。

I need to concentrate more in order to finish this job.

(でん)(しゃ)()(まえ)(きっ)()()わなければいけない。

I have to buy the ticket before getting on the train.

レポートは(きん)(よう)()までに()さなければいけません。

The report must be submitted by Friday.

How to do what you have to do.
やらなきゃいけないことをやる(ほう)(ほう)。・

やらなきゃいけないことをやる(ほう)(ほう)

How to do what you have to do.