JLPT N4 grammar

〜なくてはいけないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Must do A; have to A

How to form it

  • verb (nai-form without ない)なくてはいけない
  • い-adjective (-く form)なくてはいけない
  • な-adjective (stem)/nounでなくてはいけない
  • 〜なくては → 〜なくちゃ

How it is used

“Must, have to”, almost the same as 「〜なければならない」 but a little more conversational. In speech it shortens to 「〜なくちゃ」, often dropping 「いけない」.

Examples

  1. だけど、 明日はお客さんとも会わなくちゃいけないし。

    But I also have to meet a client tomorrow, so...

  2. 明日までにレポートを出さなくてはいけません。

    I have to hand in my report by tomorrow.

  3. もう九時だ。早く帰らなくちゃ。

    It's already nine. I need to get home.