JLPT N4 Grammar: なければいけない (nakereba ikenai) Meaning

Learn Japanese grammar: なければいけない (nakereba ikenai). Meaning: must do something; have to do something.

To be more formal, use なければいけません (nakereba ikemasen).

It is used very similarly to some other lessons like:

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なければいけない - Example Sentences 例文

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

早く寝なければいけない。

はやくねなければいけない。

hayaku nenakereba ikenai.

I have to go to sleep early.

Example #2

私も頑張らなければいけない。

わたしもがんばらなければいけない。

watashi mo ganbaranakereba ikenai.

I have to do my best too.

Example #3

私はすぐ答えなければいけない。

わたしはすぐこたえなければいけない。

watashi wa sugu kotaenakereba ikenai.

I must answer right away.

Example #4

私は友人をもっと信頼しなければいけない。

わたしはゆうじんをもっとしんらいしなければいけない。

watashi wa yuujin o motto shinrai shinakereba ikenai.

I must place more trust in my friends.

Example #5

あなたはお昼までに宿題を終わらせなければいけない。

あなたはおひるまでにしゅくだいをおわらせなければいけない。

anata wa o hiru made ni shukudai o owarasenakereba ikenai.

You need to finish your homework by noon.

Example #6

学ばなければいけないことが実に多かった。

まなばなければいけないことがじつにおおかった。

manabanakereba ikenai koto ga jitsu ni ookatta.

There had been so many things to learn.

Example #7

私は自分の感情を隠さなければいけない。

わたしはじぶんのかんじょうをかくさなければいけない。

watashi wa jibun no kanjou o kakusanakereba ikenai.

I must mask my own feelings.

Example #8

もう一つ、考慮しなければいけないことがある。

もうひとつ、こうりょしなければいけないことがある。

mou hitotsu, kouryo shinakereba ikenai koto ga aru.

There's one more thing that needs to be taken into consideration.

Example #9

あなた、彼にあなたの夢のことを話さなければいけませんよ。

あなた、かれにあなたのゆめのことをはなさなければいけませんよ。

anata, kare ni anata no yume no koto o hanasanakereba ikemasen yo.

You must tell him about your dreams.

View all JLPT N4 Grammar Lessons

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JLPT N4 Grammar なければいけない (nakereba ikenai)

Meaning 意味

How to use 使い方