JLPT N5
なくてはいけない
Must / Have to ~
Structure
Verb ない-form + くてはいけない
How it works
This grammar point expresses a strong obligation or necessity to do something, equivalent to 'must' or 'have to' in English. It is formed by changing a verb into its negative 'nai' form, removing the final 'i', and adding 'kute wa ikenai'. The literal meaning is 'if you don't do it, it cannot go well'.
Examples
薬を飲まなくてはいけません。
I must take my medicine.
学校へ行かなくてはいけない。
I have to go to school.
今日は漢字を練習しなくてはいけません。
I must practice Kanji today.
Common mistakes
Forgetting the 'wa' particle in the middle of the phrase or failing to conjugate the verb into the negative dictionary form first.
Tip
In casual conversation, this is often shortened to 'nakucha' or replaced with 'nakereba narimasen', which carries a similar meaning.
More JLPT N5 grammar
See なくてはいけない in real Japanese
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