N2 — outside your level filter
ねばならない
ねばならないneba naranaiN2formal
Same meaning10
must do
- ないといけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- なければならないmust do; have to doattaches at
- なくてはいけないmust do; have to doattaches at
- わけにはいかないcan't very well do — ruled out by the situation, not a ruleattaches at
- よりほかないnothing for it but to do; no course is left butattaches at
- ざるを得ないhave no choice but to do; cannot avoid doingattaches at
classical negative (ぬ・ず・ざる)
- ぬdoes not — the classical negative endingattaches at
- ざるを得ないhave no choice but to do; cannot avoid doingattaches at
- ずに済むget by without doing; turn out not to have to doattaches at
- ずにwithout doingattaches at
All examples3
must do — a duty stated as principle, written or spoken formally
我々はこの問題に対処せねばならない。
wareware wa kono mondai ni taishose neba naranai.
We must deal with this problem. neutral
個人情報の取り扱いには、細心の注意を払わねばなりません。
kojin jouhou no toriatsukai ni wa, saishin no chuui o harawaneba narimasen.
The handling of personal data demands the utmost care. formal
締め切りが迫っている。今夜中に書き上げねば。
shimekiri ga sematte iru. kon'yajuu ni kakiageneba.
The deadline is closing in. I have to get this written tonight. neutral
How it's formed1
All forms4
ねばならぬnebanaranuliterary
味わわねばならぬ
The ending's ない swaps for the old ぬ, keeping the phrase old-fashioned.
ねばnebacontraction
味わわねば
Trailed off at the end, ならない left unsaid (そろそろ出ねば). Bookish, and often self-dramatising.
- pastねばならなかったnebanaranakatta
味わわねばならなかった
- politeねばなりませんnebanarimasen
味わわねばなりません
Notes
ある→あらねば).