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See the whole course›Beginner 2›Customs & Etiquette

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 2

〜なければなりません~nakereba narimasen

must do

Use this form to say an action is required by a rule, responsibility, or practical need.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. You need to wash your hands before eating. The sentence in the picture says this is something you must do.

    You need to wash your hands before eating. The sentence in the picture says this is something you must do.

  2. Although the sentence contains 「ない」 and 「ません」, the whole expression still means “must do.”

    Although the sentence contains 「ない」 and 「ません」, the whole expression still means “must do.”

  3. Remove the final 「ない」 from the verb’s ない form, then add 「なければなりません」.

    Remove the final 「ない」 from the verb’s ない form, then add 「なければなりません」.

  4. Removing 「ない」 from 「しない」 leaves 「し」, so it becomes 「しなければなりません」.

    Removing 「ない」 from 「しない」 leaves 「し」, so it becomes 「しなければなりません」.

  5. Rules, responsibilities, or practical needs can all make something a “must-do” action.

    Rules, responsibilities, or practical needs can all make something a “must-do” action.

  6. These two sentences require washing your hands and taking off your shoes. The 「てはいけません」 you learned earlier expresses a prohibition.

    These two sentences require washing your hands and taking off your shoes. The 「てはいけません」 you learned earlier expresses a prohibition.

Example sentences

  • 手てteをo洗わなけれあらわなけれarawanakereばbaなりません。なりませんnarimasen

    You must wash your hands.

  • 靴くつkutsuをo脱がなけれぬがなけれnuganakere

In a conversation

  • A
    神社じんじゃに行くいく時、とき何なにをしなければなりませんか。か

    A: What do you have to do when going to a shrine?

  • B
    鳥居とりいをくぐっ

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    I must take medicine every day.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    手を洗 。

    You must wash your hands.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜なければなりませんmust do

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
ばba
なりません。なりませんnarimasen

You must take off your shoes.

て
から、から
お辞儀おじぎ
を
しなけれ
ば
なりません。なりません

B: After passing through the torii gate, you must bow.

  • A
    そうですか。か初めてはじめてですから、から教えおしえてください。ください

    A: I see. It's my first time, so please tell me.

  • B
    靴くつを脱いぬいで、で手てを洗っあらってから、からお参りおまいりします。します

    B: Take off your shoes, wash your hands, and then pray.

〜と、〜condition and result
〜と言いますreporting what someone said
〜てはいけませんprohibited action
〜なくてもいいですdo not have to
〜と思いますI think; give an opinion
Previous〜てはいけません
Next〜なくてもいいです