BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 24
Structure of ないと:
Verb［ない］+ と + （いけない(1)）
(1) だめ
Details about ないと:
As an extension of the 'if' meaning of と, attaching the auxiliary verb ない to the verb before it will express 'if (A) is not done, (B)'. (B) is most frequently いけない 'cannot go', which makes ないといけない a double negative phrase, which translates to 'must do (A)', or 'have to do (A)'.
いけない may be replaced with だめ, to make the phrase more casual, but ならない is generally not used with ないと.
いけない may be replaced with だめ, to make the phrase more casual, but ならない is generally not used with ないと.
- ライト君が悪いんだから、リュウ君に謝らないといけないでしょう。Raito-kun, you are in the wrong, so you have to apologize to Ryu-kun, right?
- 今日は勉強しないとだめだから、明日は？I have to study today, so how about tomorrow?
- 明日はテストがあるの？！勉強しないと。There is a test tomorrow!? I have to study.
- もう7時じゃん？準備しないと。Oh, it's already 7? I need to get ready.
ないと
Usage Notes for ないと:
As と has the 'and' nuance, it gives ないと a level of strength that is not seen in similar phrases like なければいけない, or なくてはいけない. Because of this, ないと is often used to highlight things which absolutely 'must' be done (obeying the law, adhering to customs, using common sense, etc.).
- 歩行者も信号機を守らないといけない。Even pedestrians have to obey traffic lights.
Synonyms for ないと:
なくてはいけない
Must do, Have to do
なければならない
Must do, Have to do
なくてはならない
Must do, Have to do
なければいけない
Must do, Have to do
なくちゃ・なきゃ
Must do, Have to do
べき
Must, Should , Ought to
Example of ないと
「約束を守らないといけません！」
'You have to keep your promise!'
「なぜ、税金を払わないといけないのですか？」
'Why do I have to pay taxes?'
「子沢山だから、一週間に三十回は洗濯しないとだめ。」
'There are lots of children, so I have to do laundry thirty times a week.'
「ほたるちゃん、うちに遊びにきてくれるの？」
「すみません。明日までに宿題を済ませないといけないのです。」
'Hotaru, will you come and hang out at my house?'
'I am sorry. I have to finish doing my homework by tomorrow.'
「合格したらまず両親や先生に伝えないと。」
'If I pass, I have to tell my parents and teacher first!'
Grammar same lesson
JLPT Practice
Review after tedious theory lessons.
JLPT Mock Test
Let’s see how far you’ve honed your knowledge!
