Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 9: 9/13
なくてはならない
Must do, Have to do
Also used to express duty or necessity. Click here if you are curious about なくて conjugation
Structure
Verb[ない]+ なくては + ならない
Verb[ない]+ なくちゃ + ならない
Details
Part of Speech
Expression
Word Type
Auxiliary Verb
Register
Formal
About なくてはならない
Much like てはならない, なくてはならない states that something 'must not' be done. However, this is where the similarities end. なくてはならない is an example of a double negative in Japanese, and actually has the meaning '(A) must be done', or 'must do (A)'.
While this grammar point is usually translated as 'must do', the literal translation is 'must not, not do (A)'. This double 'not' is where many learners have difficulties. ならない simply means 'cannot become', and comes from the negative form of なる.
To use this structure, simply create the negative form of a verb, and then convert ない to なく (the conjunctive form of an い-Adjective), followed by て. After this, は is added, and then finally ならない.
ならない is considered to be the most formal structure out of ならない, いけない, and だめ. It is regularly used in formal writing, or semi-formal/formal speech. いけない (the most common variation) and だめ (the most casual variation) are also acceptable in many situations.
Caution
The ては in なくては is often shortened to ちゃ, as this is easier to say. なくちゃ may then be followed by ならない. However, due to ならない being quite formal, なくちゃ (a casual structure) will not be used with ならない on a regular basis. It is more common to see なくちゃ paired with いけない, or だめ.
-
今日は沢山走ったからシャワーを浴びなくちゃならない。Because I ran a lot today, I must take a shower.
-
バーベキューに肉を持って行かなくちゃいけない。I gotta bring meat to the barbeque.
-
冬になる前にキャンプに行かなくちゃだめだね。We gotta go camping before it becomes winter, right?
These casual structures are very similar to words like 'gotta' in English.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
--:--
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
毎日勉強をしなくてはならない。
You must do your studies every day.
3時半までに、銀行に行かなくてはならない。
By 3:30, I have to go to the bank.
もう二時ですか!まだお弁当食べてないです。食べなくてはならない。
It's already two?! I haven't eaten my bento yet. I have to eat.
京都で電車を降りなくてはならない。
I must get off the train in Kyoto.
君が決めなくてはならないよ。
You have to decide.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
How to say “must do something”
NihonOnTheGo
Offline
Tobira
Page 43
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 142
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
なくてはならない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (33 in total)
Fripi
I Feel you so much! I gave up and created a short cheat sheet to manage the forms + formality level and neighbouring forms as well. I was so annoyed about these forms it was surreal. Now I just use the cheat sheet to get it drilled into my head a bit better.
ddavo
@Fripi Oh, can you share it please? I think it will be helpful for everyone.
Fripi
I have made it by hand in my notes, so I have to physically go there to check on something… Therefore no digital copy of that and my handwriting is so bad I couldnt just take a picture
It just adds all the forms I kept mistaking on one page and wrote specifically the requested form (Casual, Formal, Very Formal) behind them so i would end up with the right one. it still isn’t perfect, but I was beating myself up about it before and now I have zero stress and somehow already know it most of the time. Switched to give it one try without and then look up, if I still mess it up then use the “solve” button.
Got questions about なくてはならない? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion