なければいけない
Meanings
- Must do
- Have to do
- It is necessary to do
About this pattern
Explanation
なければいけない expresses obligation or necessity: something you must do, often due to rules, expectations, or personal responsibility. It is stronger than a simple intention and is used for things you should or must do. The form changes with the word class: for verbs, use the negative連用形 + ければいけない (e.g., 行かなければいけない, 勉強しなければいけない); for na-adjectives and nouns, use でなければいけない (静かでなければいけない, 学生でなければいけない). It is common in everyday speech and writing when giving or stating obligations or requirements.
Learn in context
Example sentences
I have to do my homework every day.
I have to leave early today.
This room has to be quiet.
I must speak clearly so it can be understood in Japanese.
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View detailsmore and more; rapidly; increasing quickly; progressively
View detailsWe/They/You all (plural forms); These/Those (plural demonstratives); Plural suffix for certain pronouns and demonstratives
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