BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 22
Structure of 筈(はず)だ:
Verb + はず + だ
［い］Adjective + はず + だ
［な］Adjective + な + はず + だ
Noun + の + はず + だ
Details about 筈(はず)だ:
はず, coming from the kanji 筈, is a word in Japanese that is very similar to 'bound' in English. This means that it expresses something that the speaker is 'quite sure is true', but cannot confirm. The most common translations of はず are 'bound to be (A)', and 'should be (A)'.
As はず is a noun, it may be used in any place that a noun would usually be used. It will often be followed by だ, or です.
As はず is a noun, it may be used in any place that a noun would usually be used. It will often be followed by だ, or です.
- 今日は雨が降るはずだ。It is supposed to rain today. (But I am not 100% sure if it will)
- 新幹線で行った方が速いはずだ。It is bound to be faster if we go by shinkansen. (But I am not 100% sure if it will)
- 彼は魚が嫌いだから寿司は嫌いなはずだ。He does not like fish, so he is sure to dislike sushi. (But I am not 100% sure if he will)
- 頼んだのはコーヒーのはずだったけどお茶が来た。I was sure that I ordered coffee, but tea came. (But I am not 100% sure if I did)
筈(はず)だ
Usage Notes for 筈(はず)だ:
Despite はず sometimes being translated as 'should', this is only when you think that something 'should be true', and cannot be used when making suggestions/giving advice. Due to this, 'bound' is the more accurate translation of 筈, in almost all situations.
Synonyms for 筈(はず)だ:
わけだ
For that reason, No wonder, As you'd expect, Naturally, Thus, This is why
つもりだ
To plan to, To intend to
ことになっている
To be expected to, To be scheduled to
ばいい
Can, Should, It'd be good if
べき
Must, Should , Ought to
たらいい・といい
It would be nice if, It would be good if, Should, I hope
ものだ
Supposed to, Should, That's the way it is
はずがない
Hardly possible, Cannot be, Highly unlikely, Improbable
べきではない
Should not, Must not , Ought not to
Example of 筈(はず)だ
彼は借りたペンを返すはずだ。
He is bound to return the pen he borrowed.
妻は夜七時までに、帰ってくるはずだ。
My wife is expected to return home by seven o'clock.
夏だから、暑いはずだ。
Because it is summer, it is supposed to be hot.
ここから富士山が見えるはずだ。
One should be able to see Mt. Fuji from here.
この港には船があるはずだ。
There are bound to be boats in this harbor.
Grammar same lesson
JLPT Practice
Review after tedious theory lessons.
JLPT Mock Test
Let’s see how far you’ve honed your knowledge!
