must, have to

The negative stem plus なければならない expresses obligation: literally, it will not do if you do not. なくてはいけない is an equivalent pattern. In casual speech these contract to なきゃ and なくちゃ.

Examples

• 明日あすまでにレポートを出ださなければなりません。

  Ashita made ni repooto o dasanakereba narimasen.

  I have to hand in the report by tomorrow.

• 毎朝まいあさ六ろく時じに起おきなければなりません。

  Maiasa rokuji ni okinakereba narimasen.

  I have to get up at six every morning.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 明日 tomorrow
• レポート report, paper
• 出す to take out; to submit
• なる to become
• 毎朝 every morning
• 六 six

Related patterns · Obligation and advice

• 〜なくてもいい do not have to
• 〜たほうがいい had better do, should do (advice)
• 〜たらどうですか how about doing, why not do