なくちゃ・なきゃ (Must do)

Must do, Have to do

JLPT N5

Pattern

Verb (ない-form → なくちゃ / なきゃ)

How it works

なくちゃ and なきゃ are casual contractions of なくてはいけない and なければいけない: “I've got to”. The いけない is usually dropped. Use them with friends, not in formal situations.

Examples

もう帰らなきゃ。I've got to go home now.
しゅくだいをしなくちゃ。I need to do my homework.

ないほうがいいIt'd be better not to, Shouldn't do
やThings like, And the like
たほうがいいIt'd be better to, Should do
なくてはならないMust do, Have to do
なくてはいけないMust do, Have to do
てはいけないMust not, May not

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