Have to 〜ないと

Meaning

Everyday "have to ~" — literally "if I don't ~, it won't do".

Formation

[verb ない-form] + と + いけない / だめ · often the tail is simply dropped

Notes

The most common spoken form of obligation. The いけない is usually left off entirely — もう行かないと is a complete sentence. Compare 〜なければなりません, which is the formal written equivalent, and 〜なきゃ, which is a contraction of なければ.

Examples

もう行（い）かないと。

I have to go now. (the いけない is simply dropped)

Breakdown

もう now, already いかないと行かないと have to go

明日（あした）までにレポートを出（だ）さないといけません。

I have to hand in the report by tomorrow.

Breakdown

あしたまでに明日までに by tomorrow レポート report をださないとを出さないと have to submit いけません it will not do

薬（くすり）を飲（の）まないとだめですよ。

You have to take your medicine.

Breakdown

くすりをのまないと薬を飲まないと have to take medicine だめ no good

早（はや）く起（お）きないと、電車（でんしゃ）に間に合（まにあ）いません。

If I don't get up early, I won't make the train.

Breakdown

はやくおきないと早く起きないと if I don't get up early でんしゃに電車に the train まにあいません間に合いません will not be in time

宿題（しゅくだい）をしなきゃ。

I've got to do my homework. (〜なきゃ, a contraction of なければ)

Breakdown

しゅくだい宿題 homework をしなきゃ have to do

⚠️ Often confused with

〜なければなりません / 〜なきゃ

Obligation 〜なければなりません

"Must ~ / have to ~". Expresses obligation. Built from the nai-form (conditional 〜ければ)...

〜なくてもいいです

No obligation 〜なくてもいいです

"You don't have to ~ / it's not necessary to ~". The opposite of obligation.

〜までもない

There is no need to 〜までもない

"There is no need to ~", "it goes without saying" — the action is unnecessary.