GRAMMAR
〜ねばならぬ
must
have to
Explanation
NOTE
〜ねばならぬ means must or have to — a literary/formal classical equivalent of 〜なければならない.
我々は真実を語らねばならぬ。
We must speak the truth.
Often found in formal writing, speeches, editorials, and old-fashioned or literary contexts.
NOTE
The variant 〜ねばならない is slightly softer; both express strong obligation or moral necessity.
NOTE
Attach ねばならぬ to the negative stem of a verb — take the ない form and drop ない (行かない → 行かねばならぬ).
STRUCTURE
Vない
ねばならぬ明日早く起きねばならぬ。
Ashita hayaku oki nebanaranu.
I must wake up early tomorrow.
もっと勉強しねばならぬ。
Motto benkyo shi nebanaranu.
I have to study more.
宿題を今日終わらねばならぬ。
Shukudai o kyo owara nebanaranu.
I must finish my homework today.
明日までに報告書を書かねばならぬ。
Ashita made ni houkokusho wo kaka neba naranu.
I must write the report by tomorrow.
国民はこの事実を知らねばならぬ。
Kokumin wa kono jijitsu wo shira neba naranu.
The citizens must know this fact.
我々は戦わねばならぬ。
Wareware wa tatakawa neba naranu.
We must fight.
NOTE
する is irregular: it becomes せねばならぬ (not しねばならぬ) — a classical form to memorize.
努力をせねばならぬ。
One must make an effort.
Compare to the modern form *しなければならない*.
Practice exercises
1
目標を達成し達成しねばならぬ。努力しないことには成功できない。
I must achieve the goal. Unless I make an effort, I cannot succeed.
Answer
達成しねばならぬ
2
大人として、責任を果たさ果たさねばならぬ。約束は守るべきだ。
As an adult, one must fulfill one's responsibilities. Promises should be kept.
Answer
果たさねばならぬ
3
人類の未来のためには、この技術を確立し確立しねばならぬ。
For the future of humanity, this technology must be established.
Answer
確立しねばならぬ
4
規則は守ら守らねばならぬ。破っては成らない。
The rules must be followed. We must not break them.
Answer
守らねばならぬ
5
与えられた任務は、いかなる困難があろうとも遂行し遂行しねばならぬ。
The given mission, no matter what difficulties there are, must be carried out.
Answer
遂行しねばならぬ