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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 22

Structure of 筈(はず)だ:

Verb + はず +
[い]Adjective + はず +
[な]Adjective + + はず +
Noun + + はず +

Details about 筈(はず)だ:

はず, coming from the kanji (はず), 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 , or です.
  • 今日(きょう)(あめ)()はず
    It is supposed to rain today. (But I am not 100% sure if it will)
  • 新幹線(しんかんせん)()(ほう)(はや)はず
    It is bound to be faster if we go by shinkansen. (But I am not 100% sure if it will)
  • (かれ)(さかな)(きら)から寿司(すし)(きら)はず
    He does not like fish, so he is sure to dislike sushi. (But I am not 100% sure if he will)
  • (たの)のはコーヒーはずだったけど(ちゃ)()
    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 (はず), 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

(かれ)()りたペン(かえ)はずだ

He is bound to return the pen he borrowed.

(つま)(よる)七時(しちじ)までに(かえ)ってくるはずだ

My wife is expected to return home by seven o'clock.

(なつ)だから(あつ)はずだ

Because it is summer, it is supposed to be hot.

ここから富士山(ふじさん)()はずだ

One should be able to see Mt. Fuji from here.

この(みなと)(ふね)があるはずだ

There are bound to be boats in this harbor.

Grammar same lesson

~ていただけませんか

Won't you, Could you please (Humble request)
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れる・られる (Potential)

To be able, Can (Potential)
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かどうか

Whether or not, If...or not
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そんなに

So (much), That much, Like that
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が必要(ひつよう)

Need, Necessary
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