BackGrammar JLPT Level N3 - Lesson 1
Structure of べき:
Verb + べき + だ
Verb + べき + Noun
Exceptions:
する ￫ す（る）べき
Details about べき:
The auxiliary verb べき, being the attributive form of べし, is a structure in Japanese that is often paired with verbs to express that something 'ought to be done'. It implies some sort of moral obligation, or that (A) is the only reasonable course of action. This comes from the kanji 可き, which carries the meaning of being something 'permissible' (indicating that any other action would not be acceptable).
べき will be paired with the plain (non-past) form of a verb, before being followed by either だ, or another noun.
べき will be paired with the plain (non-past) form of a verb, before being followed by either だ, or another noun.
- そういう事は本人に言うべきだ。You ought to say things like that to the person themselves.
- お客さんの意見はちゃんと聞くべきだ。You ought to properly listen to customers' opinions.
- ハマサキさんは尊敬するべき人だ。Hamasaki-san is someone you ought to look up to.
- あなたに教えるべき事はこれで全部です。Of all the things I ought to teach you, this is the last one.
べき
Usage Notes for べき:
It is important to note that the verb appearing with べき cannot be in past tense, and you will need to use だった or でした after べき, if you would like to say that something 'ought to have been done' in the past.
- やばいやばい、車が止まりそう！高速に乗る前にガソリンを入れておくべきだった。This is not good… ahhh not good, the car is about to stop! I should have filled the car up with gasoline before I got on the highway.
- 大変申し訳ございません。こちらがもっと早く気づくべきでした。We are very sorry. We should have noticed this earlier.
Synonyms for べき:
たほうがいい
It'd be better to, Should do
はずだ
Bound to (be), Expected to (be), Should be (able)
ないと
Must, Have to
ことだ
Should, Ought
ものだ
Supposed to, Should, That's the way it is
ないほうがいい
It'd be better not to, Shouldn't do
べきではない
Should not, Must not , Ought not to
Example of べき
痩せたい人は運動をすべきだと思う。
I think people who want to slim down should exercise.
税金を払うべきです。
You should pay taxes.
明日の会議は重大な話があるので、出席をするべきだ。
Because we will talk about something important at tomorrow's meeting, everyone should attend.
君が責任を取るべきだ。リーダーなんだから。
You should take responsibility since you are the leader.
この茶碗を買うべきだ。こんな掘り出し物はあまりないよ。
You should buy this bowl. It is not often that you come across such a bargain.
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