should, ought to

Intermediate

20-25 min

very common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses strong obligation or moral duty. More formal than ～はずだ.

[Verb dictionary form] + べき / べきだ / べきではない

学生は毎日勉強するべきだ。

Gakusei wa mainichi benkyou suru beki da.

Students should study every day.

そんなことを言うべきではない。

Sonna koto wo iu beki dewa nai.

You should not say such things.

する becomes すべき (not するべき in formal writing).

～ものか

definitely not, no way

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Common in formal recommendations and moral statements.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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