today I learned how to say "have to" but there seem to be two ways of saying that. Example: "have to go" could be 行かなければなりません or 行かないと行けない. Is that correct? If so, what's the difference, if any?
I didn't mean that isn't "should/ought" as well....just like 行ったほうがいい is translated also, or "had better" which is maybe not quite as tough and demanding. Isn't "beki" used more for talking about other people, and more familiar than these other forms ? Hmmmm......:?
The example sentences listed in my dictionary are :
先生、タバコを止めなくてはなりませんか？
止めなくてはいけません。
Doctor, do I have to quit smoking?
You ought to.
日本で人の家を訪ねる時はお土産を持っていけなくてはいけない。
You ought to take along a gift when visiting someone's house in Japan.
sl0815 said:
My schooldays are long gone. I just couldn't think of a better example.
In the case of a classroom, te + mo ii may be sufficient. On the other hand, best make it "te mo かまいませんか" or "て宜しいでしょうか(or ですか？）?" for asking favors of strangers. For customers and superiors it's off-the-charts polite.
you're right!!!!!!!
I never knew that i'm this bad at Japanese... 。・゜・（ノ_｀）・゜・。
i'm taking IB Jap HL this yr, and i'm not sure if i can get through it!!!!!
or probably i'm too bad at english.....
sorry for making such a mess... I'd better not obtrude anymore.
Anyway, thank you very much for details and explanations!!!!
Actually it's good to have two people post, because it clears questions some might have up. Please keep posting on the threads that you can help people with. It's refreshing to have more than one voice.
Actually it's good to have two people post, because it clears questions some might have up. Please keep posting on the threads that you can help people with. It's refreshing to have more than one voice.