要Asking, advising and rules
Must and need
Say what you have to do with ~なければならない, what you don't have to do, and what you need with いる.
Literally
“If you don't, it won't do”
If you don't…
働かなければHataraka nakerebaIf I don't work…
…it won't do
なりません。Narimasen.…it won't do. (I have to work.)
Forms
All built from the negative
| Type | Negative | Must |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | 行かない | 行かなければならない |
| い adjective | 高くない | 高くなければならない |
| な adjective | 静かじゃない | 静かでなければならない |
| Noun | 学生じゃない | 学生でなければならない |
In use
Obligations
I have to get up early tomorrow.
I have to take my medicine.
A passport must be genuine.
I've got to go.
A common contraction in conversation.
Variations
Many ways to say “must”
| Form | Feel |
|---|---|
| ~なければならない | Standard, a bit formal |
| ~なければいけない | Standard, often for personal obligations |
| ~なくてはいけない | Common in speech |
| ~ないといけない | Very common in speech |
| ~なきゃ | Casual |
| ~なくちゃ | Casual, like ~なきゃ |
| ~なくてはならない | Standard, a bit formal |
| ~ねばならない | Written, literary |
Not having to
Don't negate it, use ~なくてもいい
You have to write it.
You don't have to write it.
Needing things
いる: to need
This いる is a group 1 verb, unlike “to be”: いらない, いります, いって.
I need money.
It takes が, like 好き.
You don't need a passport.
How much do you need?
Check yourself
What does the speaker mean?
Your turn
Which verb?
My older brother is in Tokyo.
Say it yourself
Saying goodbye
You're at a party, but you have to leave because you have to get up early. Your friend offers you a ride, and you say you don't need one.
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