なければ

expression

if there is no ...; if (one) doesn't have ...

Conditional form of ない, used to express 'if not' or 'without'. Often appears in negative conditional clauses.

• お金かねがなければ、何なにも買かえない。

  If you don't have money, you can't buy anything.

• 時じ間かんがなければ、後あとで連れん絡らくしてください。

  If you don't have time, please contact me later.

expression, auxiliary

if not ...; unless ...

Used as an auxiliary after the negative stem of verbs and adjectives to form negative conditionals. Equivalent to 'if not' or 'unless'.

• 急いそがなければ、電でん車しゃに間まに合あわない。

  Unless you hurry, you won't catch the train.

• 雨あめが降ふらなければ、散さん歩ぽに行いきましょう。

  If it doesn't rain, let's go for a walk.

expression, auxiliary

have to ...; must ...

Abbreviation of なければならない, expressing obligation or necessity. Common in casual speech and writing.

See also: なければならない

• もう行いかなければ。

  I have to go now.

• 宿しゅく題だいをしなければ。

  I must do my homework.