GRAMMAR
〜なくちゃ
must (contraction of なくては)
Explanation
NOTE
〜なくちゃ is a casual contraction of 〜なくては(いけない／ならない), meaning 'must' or 'have to'.
急がなくちゃ！
I have to hurry!
Contraction of 急がなくてはいけない
NOTE
なくては contracts to なくちゃ: the て becomes ちゃ and the は is swallowed. いけない is dropped.
NOTE
Both なきゃ and なくちゃ mean the same; なくちゃ sounds slightly more emphatic or cute in casual speech.
STRUCTURE
Vない
なくちゃ部屋を片付けなくちゃ。
Heya o katazukenakucha.
I have to tidy up my room.
今日、返事しなくちゃな。
Kyō, henji shinakucha na.
I have to reply today.
もっと頑張らなくちゃ。
Motto ganbaranakucha.
I have to try harder.
Practice exercises
1
歯を磨かなくちゃ。
I have to brush my teeth.
Answer
磨かなくちゃ
2
手紙を書かなくちゃ。
I have to write a letter.
Answer
書かなくちゃ
3
夜までに終わらなくちゃ。
I have to finish by tonight.
Answer
終わらなくちゃ
4
早く寝なくちゃ。
I have to go to sleep early.
Answer
なくちゃ
5
もっと野菜を食べなくちゃな。
I have to eat more vegetables.
Answer
なくちゃ
6
友達に借りたお金を返さなくちゃ。
I have to return the money I borrowed from my friend.
Answer
なくちゃ
7
明日の面接のために準備しなくちゃ。
I have to prepare for tomorrow's interview.
Answer
なくちゃ
8
環境問題について真剣に考えなくちゃと思う。
I think I have to seriously think about environmental issues.
Answer
なくちゃ