Must Do: 〜なければならない

Express obligation clearly with one of the most common N5 patterns for saying something must be done.

Build 〜なければならない from the plain negative form.Use the pattern to express obligation or necessity.Read long obligation chunks quickly in everyday sentences.

Guided study

Build the obligation pattern

Start from the plain negative form and attach 〜なければならない. This pattern means “must do” or “have to do.”

明日早く起きなければならない。

I have to get up early tomorrow.

The whole predicate shows obligation about tomorrow morning.

今夜勉強しなければならない。

I must study tonight.

This sentence expresses a personal obligation for tonight.

この書類を出さなければならない。

I have to submit this document.

The same pattern is used with everyday tasks.

Practice guides for this lesson

Use these hub pages to connect this lesson with related reading practice and grammar paths.

N5 Japanese grammar lessons

Use the N5 Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide

Japanese grammar practice

Use the Japanese grammar practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide

Japanese grammar lessons

Use the Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.

Open guide