でなければ

でなければ
expression
unless it is; if not; otherwise
grammatical
1. unless it is ~; if it is not ~
The conditional of the negative copula (で + なければ), after a noun or na-adjective stem: the condition that must hold, often followed by a negative or a statement of what is impossible.
会員(かいいん)でなければ入(はい)れない。
You can't enter unless you're a member.
本人(ほんにん)でなければ受(う)け取(と)れません。
Only the person themselves can collect it.
この仕事(しごと)は経験者(けいけんしゃ)でなければ難(むずか)しいと思(おも)います。
I think this job is difficult for anyone without experience.
2. otherwise; or else
At the start of a sentence, short for そうでなければ: if things are not as just said, the following happens.
急(いそ)いで。でなければ遅(おく)れるよ。
Hurry up. Otherwise you'll be late.
早(はや)く予約(よやく)したほうがいい。でなければ席(せき)がなくなる。
You'd better book early, or there won't be any seats left.
毎日(まいにち)少(すこ)しずつ練習(れんしゅう)しなさい。でなければ、本番(ほんばん)で実力(じつりょく)を出(だ)せませんよ。
Practice a little every day. Otherwise you won't be able to show what you can do on the day.

Common patterns

  • [noun]でなければ〜ない: unless it is ~, (it) cannot ~
  • [noun]でなければならない: it must be ~
  • でなければ、〜 (sentence-initial): otherwise ~

Similar words

Watch out

Related Words

Compare: でないと (otherwise; or else)
Compare: さもなければ (otherwise (formal))
Compare: じゃなければ (unless it is)
general
Added 2026.10.13 4:28 · Revised 2026.10.13 9:27
31500/31968_denakereba