HomeGrammarJLPT N4~なきゃいけない (〜nakya ikenai)

~なきゃいけない (〜nakya ikenai)

JLPT N4

Explanation

Express a necessity or obligation; 'must', 'have to'.

Formation

Detailed explanation

The ~なきゃいけない grammar point is used to express a sense of necessity or obligation, similar to saying 'must' or 'have to' in English. It is a casual and more colloquial form of the ~なければいけない grammar point. The formation is different for verbs, but it is not used with い-adjectives, な-adjectives, or nouns.

Examples

Ashita made ni shukudai wo owaranakya ikenai.

I have to finish my homework by tomorrow.

Mou sugu dekakeru kara, isoide junbi shinakya ikenai.

We're leaving soon, so I have to hurry and get ready.

Kono purojekuto wa raishuu teishutsu shinakya ikenai.

I must submit this project by next week.

Densha ni noru mae ni, kippu wo kawanakya ikenai.

I have to buy a ticket before getting on the train.

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.