Translation guide
The English word "required" is used to express that something is necessary, mandatory, or compulsory. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese, from formal requirements to everyday necessities.
パスポートが必要です。
A passport is required.
Expressing that something is required by rules, laws, or official procedures.
A general pattern meaning '~ is necessary/required'. Suitable for many contexts, from formal to semi-formal.
パスポートが必要です。
A passport is required.
Advance reservation is required.
Means 'is mandated/required by obligation'. Used for legal or official requirements.
マスクの着用が義務付けられている。
Wearing a mask is required.
A strong expression meaning 'must do' or 'have to do'. Implies a personal or external obligation.
申請書を提出しなければならない。
You are required to submit an application form.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'indispensable' or 'required'. Often used in compounds like 必須科目 (required subject).
この書類は必須です。
This document is required.
Expressing that something is needed or necessary, not necessarily by rule.
The plain form of 必要です. Used in casual speech or writing.
もっと時間が必要だ。
More time is required.
A verb meaning 'to need' or 'to be required'. Often used for concrete items.
お金が要る。
Money is required.
A pattern meaning 'must do' or 'it is necessary to do'. Slightly softer than なければならない.
毎日練習しなくてはいけない。
Daily practice is required.
Expressing that someone is required to perform an action.
Standard expression for 'must do'. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
学生は毎日学校に来なければならない。
Students are required to come to school every day.
A more colloquial version of なければならない. Common in spoken Japanese.
もう行かないといけない。
I'm required to go now.
A formal expression meaning 'is required to do'. Often used in written rules or job descriptions.
社員は残業することが求められる。
Employees are required to work overtime.
Expressing that something is a prerequisite or condition for something else.
必要 (hitsuyou) is a na-adjective meaning 'necessary' and can be used for abstract or formal requirements. いる (iru) is a verb meaning 'to need' and is more concrete and casual. Use 必要 for rules and formal situations, and いる for everyday needs.
English 'required' is often translated as 必要, but in some contexts a different expression is more natural. For example, 'You are required to attend' is better as 出席しなければならない rather than 出席が必要です.
出席しなければなりません。
You are required to attend.