have to + may

[sl0815]

Hello,

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?

How do I say "May I go?"?


Thanks,

Jan

 

[Elizabeth]

Here's a past thread on some nuanced approaches to 'must'

"Must" | Japan Forum

'May I go' like everything depends on the level of politeness required.
In what context is it being used ?

 

[Giorgia_]

行かなければなりません。sounds a little bit stronger than 行かないといけない。
if 「～と行けない」 can be translated as "have to ~"
then 「～ければならない」 would be "must".

「私は今日、彼女に会わなければならない。」
"I must see her today."

「私は今日、彼女に会わないといけない。」
"I have to see her today."

but anyway... i suppose, they are basically the same things.

How do I say "May I go?"?

「行ってもいいでしょうか？」 could be one of the answer...
(it's asking for a permission to go)

「明日、病院に行ってもいいでしょうか？」
"May I go to the hospital tomorrow?"

 

[sl0815]

Ooops. I should have searched longer instead of just posting so quick. Sorry! :sorry:

'May I go' like everything depends on the level of politeness required.
In what context is it being used ?

Asking the teacher: "May I go to the tiolet, please?" or
asking a friend: "May I have cigarette, please?"

「明日、病院に行ってもいいでしょうか？」
"May I go to the hospital tomorrow?"

Would 「トイレに行ってもいいでしょうか」 be polite enough to say this to the teacher?


Jan

 

[Elizabeth]

行かなければなりません。sounds a little bit stronger than 行かないといけない。

行かないといけない、いかなくてはいけない（ならない） is perhaps closer to 'ought' or 'should' more often than なければならない, so no need to try and distinguish 'have to' from 'must.'

 

[Giorgia_]

Would 「トイレに行ってもいいでしょうか」 be polite enough to say this to the teacher?

Yes, but japanese people usually don't go to toilet during the class!!

行かないといけない、いかなくてはいけない（ならない） is perhaps closer to 'ought' or 'should' more often than なければならない, so no need to try and distinguish 'have to' from 'must.'

o, sorry!!('c_｀
I know my english is not really good....
then, how would you translate 「行くべきである。」??
ooooo, i don't understand....!!!!!

 

[sl0815]

Yes, but japanese people usually don't go to toilet during the class!!

My schooldays are long gone. I just couldn't think of a better example.


Thank you very much!

Jan

 

[Elizabeth]

Yes, but japanese people usually don't go to toilet during the class!!



o, sorry!!('c_｀
I know my english is not really good....
then, how would you translate 「行くべきである。」??
ooooo, i don't understand....!!!!!

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.

My schooldays are long gone. I just couldn't think of a better example.


Thank you very much!

Jan

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.

 

[Giorgia_]

Isn't "beki" used more for talking about other people, and more familiar than these other forms ?

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!!!!

 

[cacawate]

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.

 

[Giorgia_]

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.

Thank you!!
I'll try to consider the subject really well before posting.