N5109/133

なくてはいけない

V-ない + なくてはいけないい-adjective stem + なくてはいけないな-adjective + でなくてはいけないN + でなくてはいけない

Meanings

  • must do
  • have to do
  • it's necessary to do

About this pattern

Explanation

なくてはいけない expresses obligation or necessity: you must do something, or it is required. It is more formal and stronger than 〜たい/〜ほうがいい. Use it to describe duties, rules, or things you are required to do. The form changes slightly depending on the part of speech: verbs take the negative ない form plus なくてはいけない; i-adjectives use the なくてはいけない form; na-adjectives and nouns use でなくてはいけない. In casual speech, people often say なくちゃいけない or じゃなきゃいけない, but なくてはいけない is more formal. Example contexts include school assignments, work tasks, rules, or personal obligations.

Learn in context

Example sentences

明日までにレポートを提出しなくてはいけない。

I have to submit the report by tomorrow.

今日は早く起きなくてはいけない。

I must wake up early today.

この部屋は静かでなくてはいけない。

This room must be quiet.

この本を読まなくてはいけない。

I have to read this book.

お金がなくてはいけないわけではないが、旅行には準備が必要だ。

It's not that you must have money, but you need to prepare for the trip.