To have to

[Kirtar]

Hello. This is my first post on these boards (I come here a lot though, a lot of helpfull topics).

I was wondering how to say in Japanese that you 'have to do' something.

In Spanish, I think it was something like one verb was conjugated and the other was left infinitive. I think it was something like 'Tengo que ir' (I have to go) with to have conjugated and to go infinitive.

Does it work the same in Japanese?

Can some give a few examples?

Thanks

[tanuki]

Unfortunately, it's not that easy in Japanese.

Look here for a good explanation. Please note that in order to understand that, you need previous knowledge of the te-form, conditionals...

[richvh]

See this page.

[tanuki]

Thanks, Rich!

[keatonatron]

Rich is the best! He's always the fastest at answering questions! Yay!

[Kirtar]

Thanks for the links

[I-samu]

Generally with verbs, you use the short form of the verb, and take off the "i" and add "nakucha". Like:

食べなくちゃ- I must/have to/gotta eat
見なくちゃ I must/have to/gotta see
行かなくちゃ I must/have to/gotta eat

[Yudan Taiteki]

"Generally" does not apply to a very casual, contracted form. The links above answer the questions already.

[flammable hippo]

If you want a casual, contracted form, try なきゃ:

食べなきゃ
行かなきゃ
急がなきゃ　

etc

[Yudan Taiteki]

the -nakucha form is fine, it's just not "generally" what is used.