なきゃ

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”).

Suffix

なきゃ (rōmaji -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...

   勉強 (べんきょう)しなきゃ試験 (しけん)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)