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~ないといけない: "Must do 〇〇"

apprentice #58
~ 5 Minutes

Introduction

This quick-bite lesson will cover yet another way to say "must/have to", but don't worry, it's a little different from the rest. This time, we'll be using one of our new conditional friends, 〜と! Any 〜と fans in the house? Come on!


Gotta do that double negative conditional!

Structure

  • b

    Negative verb(ない)といけない
    Example:
    宿題しゅくだいをしないといけない
    "(I) have to do my homework."

To form a "must/have to" statement using the 〜と conditional marker, simply attach と to a negative, casual form

verb, then add 「いけない」at the end. (Yes, this is the same 「いけない」from 〜なくてはいけない!) The combo of the negative verb and 「いけない」makes a double negative that cancels itself out and leaves us with "must/have to". Here's an example:

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Homework (Grammar SRS)

Completing this lesson will add these Grammar SRS items to your main Grammar Study List