ISORI

〜なくちゃ / 〜なきゃ

JLPT N4:

have to (casual)

A casual "have to" or "must", common in conversation and when talking to yourself.

How to form it

  • Start from the ない form and replace ない with なくちゃ or なきゃ: 行(い)かない becomes 行(い)かなくちゃ or 行(い)かなきゃ.
  • They are short for なくては and なければ, with いけない left off. It can be added back: 行(い)かなきゃいけない.

Examples

もう行(い)かなきゃ。

I've got to go.

宿題(しゅくだい)をしなくちゃ。

I have to do my homework.

Notes

  • Use them with friends and family. In polite speech, say なければなりません or ないといけません.

Similar meaning