ないとhave to; got to (spoken)
ないと is "if I don't…", with the rest left unsaid. It is a very common way to say "have to" in conversation. 行かないと means you are going, not that you aren't.
The train is about to leave. I have to go.
the full ending
I have an early start tomorrow, so I have to go to bed now.
How to form it
Verb ない-form + と
行かない → 行かないと, しない → しないと. The full ending is ないといけない (polite いけません), or the casual ないとだめ.
- Said about
- Mostly yourself, when it ends the sentence: something you just remembered, or why you are leaving. Said to someone else, it is a nudge: hurry up, don't forget.
- Where you'll meet it
- Conversation, messages, talking to yourself. ないといけません is fine in polite talk. Written rules and notices use なければならない.
In use
It's already nine. I have to hurry and leave home.
I need to call my mother before I forget.
Sorry, I have to be going soon…
Trailing off like this is a soft way to take your leave, in polite company too.
to someone else
You have to hurry. The bus is almost here.
Two things to know
The ending comes back
いけない or だめ goes back on to ask a question, to say "had to", or to tell someone firmly what to do.
Do I have to come tomorrow too?
Yesterday I had to work until nine.
You have to take this medicine after meals.
You need to write your name on this document.
It is the ordinary "if"
The と here is "if". When the sentence goes on to say what would happen, that is all it is.
I have to hurry.
Nothing follows. The bad result is understood.
If we don't hurry, we won't catch the train.
The result is said: a plain "if we don't".
Close neighbours
The other ways to say "must", from the なければなりません of rules to the casual なくちゃ and なきゃ, which are used just like ないと.
It's already eight. I have to hurry.
とN4
"If" or "whenever", for a result that always follows.
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
もう
Choose an answer to see why.
2"Yesterday I had to get up at five."
昨日は
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
The exam is tomorrow, so I have to study tonight.
I have to submit the report by next week.
You have to tidy your room.
It's already this late. I have to hurry to the station.