なくては

also: なくちゃ

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Used after the negative stem of a verb (ない-form minus ない) to mean 'without doing' or 'if not'. Often part of a conditional or negative obligation pattern.

朝あさごはんを食たべなくては、元げん気きが出でない。
If I don't eat breakfast, I won't have any energy.
彼かれに会あわなくては、何なにも始はじまらない。
Nothing will start unless I meet him.

expression

must; have to

abbreviationusually written using kana alone

Abbreviation of なくてはいけない or なくてはならない. Used after the negative stem of a verb to express obligation. Very common in casual speech, especially as なくちゃ.

Kanji

無nothingness, none, ain't

Related words

なくてはいけない
Full form of the obligation expression; more formal and explicit than なくては.
なくてはならない
Another full form of obligation, slightly more emphatic and formal than なくてはいけない.
ないと
Similar conditional meaning 'if not', but used with the plain negative form; often interchangeable with なくては in casual obligation.

Written forms

なくちゃ
Colloquial contraction of なくては, common in casual speech.
無なくては
Kanji spelling is uncommon; the kana form is strongly preferred.
無なくちゃ
Kanji spelling of the colloquial contraction; very rare.

Etymology

From the negative continuative form なく (from ない) + particle て + topic particle は. The contracted form なくちゃ derives from なくては via regular sound change.