Meaning
A conversational way to say that something must be done.
Formation
- ない form + と + いけない: 行かないといけない
- Colloquial; speech often stops at 行かないと
When to use it
- Core use
- Have to do it, casual wording
Example
もう行かないといけない
I have to go now.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.