JLPT N5 grammar

〜なきゃ

〜なきゃ means have to; gotta (very casual). It is a JLPT N5 grammar point. This is a short spoken form of 〜なければならない or 〜なければいけない. It is very conversational and sounds natural in speech rather than formal writing.

Japanese sources describe it as 「しなければ(話し言葉)」.

〜なきゃ examples

早く起きなきゃ。

I have to get up early.

日本語を勉強しなきゃ。

I have to study Japanese.

〜なきゃ exercises

Pick what belongs in the parentheses. The answer is marked below.

  1. 早く起き( )。

    • なきゃ ✓
    • なくてもいい
    • てもいい
    • ないで

    I have to get up early.

  2. 日本語を勉強し( )。

    • ないで
    • ちゃいけない
    • なきゃ ✓
    • てもいい

    I have to study Japanese.

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See the full JLPT N5 grammar list