なければならない
Meanings
- must do
- have to do
- it's necessary to do
About this pattern
Explanation
なければならない expresses a strong obligation or necessity: something one must do, often due to rules, obligations, or social expectations. It is stronger and more formal than just べき or たい, and is used in both personal obligation and external requirements. The verb form is built from the negative plain form: the verb’s ない form plus ければならない; for na-adjectives and nouns, use でなければならない. In everyday speech, it sounds more formal or firm than なくてもいい/てもいい. Use it when you want to state that you have no choice but to do something.
Learn in context
Example sentences
I have a test tomorrow, so I must go to bed early.
I’m tired today, but I have to finish the work.
In places where you must be quiet, you shouldn’t use your phone.
Students must not be late for class.
This medicine must be taken after meals.
Keep studying
More N4 patterns
Or something; Any... (with question words); No matter (who)
View detailseasy to (do); likely to (happen); easy to be affected by
View detailsDifficult to; Hard to; Not easy to do something
View detailsGradually; Little by little; Step by step
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
View details