N4138/179

ないと

VないとVないといけないVないといけません (polite)VないとだめだVないと困る

Meanings

  • must; have to (informal)
  • it's necessary to do something; if you don't, there will be trouble
  • bad things happen if you don’t do something; you must do it

About this pattern

Explanation

ないと is a casual contraction used after the negative form of a verb to express obligation or a necessary action. It can mean "you must do ~" (as in ないといけない / なければならない) or convey a consequence if you don’t do it (e.g., you’ll be in trouble). It’s common in everyday speech among friends and family and is less suitable for formal situations. The verb stays in its ない form before と (e.g., 行かないと, 宿題を終わらないと). It can also appear after adjectives in the same sense (e.g., 忙しくないと間に合わない is less common; more typical usage is with verb forms). Generally used to state a necessary action or warn of consequences if not done.

Learn in context

Example sentences

宿題を終わらないと、先生に怒られる。

If I don’t finish my homework, I’ll get scolded by the teacher.

明日までにレポートを提出しないといけない。

I have to turn in the report by tomorrow.

お金がないと困る。

It would be a problem if I don’t have money.

早く寝ないと、明日大変だ。

If I don’t go to bed soon, tomorrow will be rough.