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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 25

Structure of なければいけない:

Verb[ない] + ければ + いけない
Verb[ない] + きゃ + いけない

Details about なければいけない:

Like なくてはいけない, なければいけない is a structure that implies that something 'must be done'. However, it is important to remember that this is actually a double negative, and therefore means 'If (A) is not done, it cannot go', or more simply '(A) cannot not be done'.
To make this construction, the auxiliary verb ない will need to be conjugated with , creating なければ (if not). After this, いけない (to not be able to go) will be added to the end.
  • 来月(らいげつ)友達(ともだち)結婚式(けっこんしき)()なければいけない
    Next month, I have to go to my friend's wedding. (Not going to the wedding is not going to work)
  • (くるま)駐車場(ちゅうしゃじょう)()なければいけない
    Cars have to be parked in parking lots. (Not being parked in a parking lot is unacceptable)
As learned in the なきゃ lesson, なければ may be shortened to なきゃ. This structure is frequently used either with or without the added いけない.
  • ここ(はな)ている場合(ばあい)じゃない息子(むすこ)(むか)えに()なきゃ
    This is not the time to talk here, I have to go pick up my son.
  • 宿題(しゅくだい)調(しら)なきゃいけない(こと)があるから、パソコン()
    Since I need to look up something for my homework, would you please lend me your computer?
なければいけない

Usage Notes for なければいけない:

While いけない (to not be able to go) and ならない (to not become) are quite similar, ならない will rarely be used outside of formal situations, or in writing. Due to this, いけない will be heard much more frequently in speech (when it is not omitted).

Synonyms for なければいけない:

なくてはいけない
Must do, Have to do
なくちゃ・なきゃ
Must do, Have to do
なくてはならない
Must do, Have to do
ないと
Must, Have to
ねばならない
Must, Have to, Should
なければならない
Must do, Have to do
てはいけない
Must not, May not
べきではない
Should not, Must not , Ought not to
てはならない
Must not, Cannot, Should not

Example of なければいけない

仕事(しごと)()なければいけない

I have to go to work.

(ふゆ)になったら暖房(だんぼう)つけなければいけません

When winter comes, I will have to turn on the heater.

(おぼ)えにくいけど(おぼ)なければいけません

It is difficult to remember, but I must (remember).

(あに)みたいに大学(だいがく)()なければいけない()われました

I was told that I have to go to college like my older brother.

(あたま)(いた)すぎて(くすり)()なければいけない

My head hurts so much that I must take medicine.

Grammar same lesson

かい

Question marker
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と~と~どちらが

Between ~ which one
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~た所(ところ)だ

Just finished doing, Was just doing
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ながら

While ~ing, During, As
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続(つづ)ける

To continue
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