なきゃ

Japanese

Etymology

Contraction of なければ（ならない） (nakereba (naranai), literally “will not allow (something) to not happen; if (something) doesn't happen it will be bad”).

Suffix

なきゃ • (-nakya)  (appended after imperfective form)

1. (informal) must, have to

   もう行(い)かなきゃ。

   Mō ikanakya.

   I have to go now.

2. (informal) if one doesn't...

   勉(べん)強(きょう)しなきゃ試(し)験(けん)に受(う)からない。

   Benkyō shinakya shiken ni ukaranai.

   If you don’t study, you will fail the exam.

Synonyms

• なくちゃ (-nakucha)