N5 — outside your level filter
なければならない
なければならないnakereba naranaiN5neutral
Same meaning6
must do
- ないといけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- なくてはいけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- ねばならないmust do; is obliged to do (written)attaches at
- わけにはいかないcan't very well do — ruled out by the situation, not a ruleattaches at
- よりほかないnothing for it but to do; no course is left butattaches at
- ざるを得ないhave no choice but to do; cannot avoid doingattaches at
All examples3
must do; have to — obligation stated as a rule or necessity
宿題、今日じゅうに終わらせなきゃ。
shukudai, kyoujuu ni owarasenakya.
I've gotta finish my homework by the end of today. casual
日本では車は左側を走らなければならない。
nihon de wa kuruma wa hidarigawa o hashira nakereba naranai.
In Japan, cars must drive on the left. neutral
申込書は金曜日までに提出しなければなりません。
moushikomisho wa kin'youbi made ni teishutsu shinakereba narimasen.
The application form must be submitted by Friday. formal
How it's formed1
All forms4
なきゃnakyacontraction
味わわなきゃ
なければ→なきゃ in speech, with ならない usually dropped entirely — もう行かなきゃ。
なければいけないnakerebaikenaicolloquial
味わわなければいけない
ならない swapped for いけない — warmer and more spoken; favored for personal rather than rule-like obligation
- pastなければならなかったnakerebanaranakatta
味わわなければならなかった
- politeなければなりませんnakerebanarimasen
味わわなければなりません