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JLPT N4 Casual

〜nakya ikenai

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

Casual contraction (なければ -> なきゃ); the most common everyday spoken form.

Formation

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.

Example sentences

  • I have to finish my homework by tomorrow.

    Ashita made ni shukudai wo owaranakya ikenai.

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

    Mou sugu dekakeru kara, isoide junbi shinakya ikenai.

  • I must submit this project by next week.

    Kono purojekuto wa raishuu teishutsu shinakya ikenai.

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

    Densha ni noru mae ni, kippu wo kawanakya ikenai.

Obligation (Must / Have to)