ねばならないmust (written)
なければならない in formal dress: the same "must", for writing and solemn speech. ねば is an old way to say なければ.
Now more than ever, we must rethink the system from the ground up.
To win back the public's trust, the facts must be brought to light.
How to form it
Verb ない-form: ない → ねばならない する → せねばならない
行かない → 行かねばならない, 見ない → 見ねばならない, 来ない → 来ねばならない. する is the one irregular: せねばならない, never しねばならない. Polite ねばなりません.
- Said about
- Often "we" or people in general: what a country, a profession or a generation must do. About yourself it is a vow.
- Where you'll meet it
- Editorials, essays, speeches, slogans, novels. Not everyday talk.
なければならない or ねばならない
This record must be preserved for the future.
The usual form in writing and careful speech.
This record must be preserved for the future.
The same duty, said solemnly: a speech, an essay, a vow.
About an everyday errand it sounds like a speech.
Sounds odd: 帰りに
On the way home I must purchase milk.
People say 買わなきゃ.
In use
Researchers must show not only their results but also the limits of their methods.
Before reaching a decision, one must listen carefully to what both sides have to say.
Whatever it takes, I must keep this promise.
Two more shapes
ねばならぬ is older still: period dramas, mottoes, grand speeches. ぬ is the old ない.
Those who carry the nation's future must be aware of that responsibility.
ねば alone leaves ならない unsaid, as なきゃ does. It turns up in novels and manga, and in diaries and posts as a note to yourself, in earnest or half in jest.
I must try harder.
Close neighbours
なければならないN5
The everyday "must", in all its forms from なければなりません to なきゃ.
It's already eight. I have to hurry.
てはならないN2
The written "must not": てはいけない as laws and rule books say it.
No one may enter the storage room without permission.
ざるを得ないN2
Circumstances force it, against your wishes: "have no choice but to". Written, and careful speech.
For family reasons, I had no choice but to leave the company I had worked at for many years.
Check yourself
1Which one is right?
我々は
Choose an answer to see why.
2You are at a friend's place and say this to them as you get up to go. Which one fits?
もう
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
This problem must be solved here and now, not passed on to the next generation.
To protect cultural properties, the whole community must get behind the effort.
As a public record, the whole course of events must be left for later generations.