N4 Commands & Obligations

~なければならない: meaning, usage and examples

~なければならない means: must, have to…

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 明日あしたまでにこの仕事しごとを終おわらせなければなりません。

   I must finish this work by tomorrow.

2. 毎日薬まいにちくすりを飲のまなければなりません。

   I have to take medicine every day.

3. 毎朝まいあさ、七時しちじの電車でんしゃに乗のらなければなりません。

   I have to catch the seven o'clock train every morning.

4. 日本にほんでは、車くるまは左側ひだりがわを走はしらなければなりません。

   In Japan, cars must drive on the left.

When to use it

Expresses obligation or necessity: 'must' or 'have to'. Use it for rules, duties and things that are necessary: 薬くすりを飲のまなければなりません. Literally it means 'if you do not do X, it will not do'. The polite form is なければなりません and the past is なければなりませんでした 'had to'.

Nuance

A little formal and bookish; in speech people often say なければいけない or the casual なきゃ / なくちゃ. ならない sounds like a general rule or duty, いけない more like a personal or situational need. Both are correct at N4.

Compare

Compare なくてもいい (don't have to): 書かかなければなりません 'must write' vs 書かかなくてもいいです 'don't have to write'. Compare ないといけない (also 'must', a little more conversational). Compare ほうがいい: it gives advice, not an obligation, so the listener can still choose.

Tip: Break it into parts: なければ (if not) + ならない (won't do). 'If I don't go, it won't do' = I must go.