なければなりません

なければなりません is the form we use to say that we must do or that we have to do something. It means something like 'if I don't do this, it isn't good', thus you have to do it. There are many forms of なければなりません, ranging from the keigo form to the casual form, and from the long version to the shorter version. There are also other ways to say that you must do something that we will see in this lesson.

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なければなりません is the standard, keigo form of the expression 'must do' or 'have to'. You can see that it uses the verb なる (to become) in the negative, although it has nothing to do with the verb 'to become'. In Japanese, a lot of expressions use a certain verb that has nothing to do with its original meaning. Keep this in mind!

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You can change なければなりません to its casual form なければならない.

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This expression works with the verb stems in the negative.

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Verb (negative stem) + なければならない

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しゅくだいをしなければならない。

Shukudai o shinakereba naranai.

I have to do my homework.

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この本をよまなければならない。

Kono hon o yomanakereba naranai.

I have to read this book.

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This construction has a sense of urgency, the fact that you must do something otherwise it is not good. It means 'to have to' in a 'must do' sense; it isn't used to mean 'if this book is good, then I have to read it!' in a sense that you will make sure to read it, because you heard good things about it.

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おしごとに行かなければなりません。

Oshigoto ni ikanakereba narimasen.

I have (must) to go to work.

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In the past, you will conjugate なりません/ならない.

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Verb (stem) + なければなりませんでした
Verb (stem) + なければならなかった

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なんででんわをしなかったの？

Nande denwa o shinakatta no?

Why didn't you call?

ごめん。しゅくだいをしなければならなかった。

Gomen. Shukudai o shinakereba naranakatta.

Sorry. I had to do my homework.

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Other examples with なければなりません;

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来週中にこの本を返さなければなりません。

Raishuuchuu ni kono hon o kaesanakereba narimasen.

I have to return this book by next week.

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来月テストがありますからべんきょうしなければなりません。

Raigetsu tesuto ga arimasu kara benkyou shinakereba narimasen.

I have to study because I have an exam next month.

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しごとはしなければならない。

Shigoto wa shinakereba naranai.

I have to work. (Work must be done)

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Other forms

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なければなりません has many other forms. It is essential to learn them all, because you might bump into them. The other forms of なければなりません essentially mean the same thing.

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・なければならない
・なければいけない
・なくてはならない
・なくてはいけない
・ないといけない

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These are all other possible forms of なければなりません. They all work with the stem of verbs.

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学交に行かなければいけません。

Gakkou ni ikanakereba ikemasen.

I have to go to school.

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学交に行かなくてはならない。

Gakkou ni ikanakute wa naranai.

I have to go to school.

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学交に行かないといけない。

Gakkou ni ikanai to ikenai.

I have to go to school.

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The last form ないといけない uses the conditional と (if I don't go to school, it won't go well). We will see the conditional later on.

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なきゃ and なくちゃ

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なきゃ and なくちゃ are diminutive forms of なければなりません, and you will hear them often in anime and manga. They are used in casual conversations with friends and family. 

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Verb (stem) + なきゃ

Verb (stem) +  なくちゃ

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かしゅにならなくちゃ。

Kashu ni naranakucha.

I have to become a singer.

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ちゃんとやらなきゃ。

Chanto yaranakya.

I have to do it properly.

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You can add いけない to these forms as well.

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やさいを食べなきゃいけない。

You have to eat your vegetables.

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Must not do with 〜てはいけない

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〜てはいけない is an expression that means 'must not'. It is the negative form of なければならない. It is a common expression to say that you must not do something.

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This form uses the て-form of verbs, and again, there exists different forms to say 'must not'.

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・てはならない
・だめだ
・ないで
・べきではない
・わけにはいかない

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These are the other possible forms.

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〜てはいけない is composed of;

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The て-form of verbs, which are the verbs that will demonstrate which action must not be performed; the particle は that indicates the topic (in that case, puts an emphasis on the action that must not be performed); and the verb いけない, which is the potential form of the verb 行く (to go).

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Thus, this expression is translated as 'it won't work (go)'.

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そこに入ってはいけない。

Soko ni haitte wa ikenai.

You mustn't enter there.

ここでさわいではいけない。

Koko de sawaide wa ikenai.

You mustn't make noise here.

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It is possible to omit the particle は.

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ここでさわいでいけない。

Koko de sawaide ikenai.

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Remember that the polite form of いけない is いけません!

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ここですわってはいけません！

Koko de suwatte wa ikemasen!

You mustn't sit here!

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ちゃ and じゃ

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ちゃ and じゃ are the diminutive and colloquial forms of てはいけない. They are like なきゃ and なくちゃ. ちゃ will be used with verbs in their て-form ending with て, and じゃ will be used with the verbs in their て-form ending in で.

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外であそんじゃいけない。

Soto de asonja ikenai.

You must not play outside.

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ここですわっちゃいけない。

Koko de suwaccha ikenai.

You must not sit here.

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だめだ, いけない and ならない

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All three expressions mean the same thing. 〜てはいけない is the most common expression. 〜てはならない is more formal and you will see it in writing. 〜てはだめだ is a more colloquial version.

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だめ is a word that basically means 'no good'. 

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きょうかしょをわすれてはいけない。

Kyoukasho o wasurete wa ikenai.

Do not forget your textbook. (You must not forget your textbook)

このぞうをさわってはならない。

Kono zou o sawatte wa naranai.

Do not touch this statue. (You must not touch this statue)

その車を買ってはだめです。

Sono kuruma o katte wa dame desu.

Do not buy that car. (You must not buy that car)