せねばならない

expression

must do; have to do; ought to do

Formal, somewhat literary obligation expression equivalent to しなければならない. Often used in writing, speeches, or when emphasizing duty. The せねば form comes from the classical negative hypothetical せねば (if not do).

See also: なければならない

• 我われ々われはこの問もん題だいを解かい決けつせねばならない。

  We must solve this problem.

• 彼かれは自じ分ぶんの過あやまちを認みとめねばならなかった。

  He had to admit his own mistake.