beginner

〜なければなりません・〜なくてもいいです

Learn how to express required obligations (must/have to) and the lack of necessity (need not) in Japanese.

In Japanese, rules, required duties, or personal obligations are stated using negative verb stems:

Obligation: Combine the negative stem with なければなりません (nakereba narimasen - must / have to).
Lack of Necessity: Combine the negative stem with なくてもいいです (nakutemo ii desu - do not have to).

私は本を読まなければなりません。

I must read a book.

For actions that are fully optional:

お茶は作らなくてもいいです。

You do not have to make tea.

Practice

Follow along with these examples to strengthen your understanding.

部屋を掃除しなければなりませんか？

Do you have to clean the room?

私は部屋を掃除しなければなりません。

I must clean the room.

本を読まなければなりませんか？

Do you have to read books?

私は本を読まなければなりません。

I must read a book.

コーヒーを飲まなければなりませんか？

Do you have to drink coffee?

コーヒーは飲まなくてもいいです。

You do not have to drink coffee.

お茶を作らなければなりませんか？

Do you have to make tea?

お茶は作らなくてもいいです。

You do not have to make tea.

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