~なければならない (must)

grammar

174 sentences

The obligation pattern ~なければならない ('must do X / have to do X'), formed by attaching なければならない — or one of its interchangeable variants (なければいけない, なくてはいけない, なくてはならない) — to the negative stem of a verb. Literally 'if-not-do, won't-become' — a double-negative pattern yielding 'have to.' Casual contractions: ~なきゃならない, ~なくちゃ. Also occurs as a relative-clause modifier — 'something that won't do without' — yielding readings like 'indispensable.'

174 sentences