なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) Meaning Japanese Grammar - To Be Necessary
Anna Baffa Volpe
4 min reading time
Updated on 21 March 2023
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: 決める, decide
⇨ I have to decide, I must decide
Example with the Godan Verb: 呼ぶ call
⇨ 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.
勉強しなければいけない。
I must study.
Or: It is necessary for me to study
午後は旅行の準備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
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Support us to unlock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.
彼には本当のことを話さなきゃいけない。
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.
行かなきゃ！
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分で電車が来るから、急がなくちゃ。
The train is coming in five minutes, so we have to hurry.
どうして野菜を食べなきゃいけないの?
Why should I eat vegetables?
Examples of なければいけない
この仕事を終わらせるためには、もっと集中しなければいけない。
I need to concentrate more in order to finish this job.
電車に乗る前に切符を買わなければいけない。
I have to buy the ticket before getting on the train.
レポートは金曜日までに出さなければいけません。
The report must be submitted by Friday.
やらなきゃいけないことをやる方法。
How to do what you have to do.
