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JLPT N3 · Requests, permission & prohibition

べきだ (beki da)

～べきだ — should ～, ought to ～

In short · Says that something is the right thing to do by common sense or morals: “should / ought to.” It attaches to the dictionary form of a verb. It is stronger than ～たほうがいい and is used for obligations, rules and strong advice.
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Pattern

  • 動詞辞書形 ＋ べきだ／べきです 約束は守るべきだ (promises should be kept)
  • する → するべき／すべき する verbs: both するべき and すべき are used

Strong judgment

～べきだ is a judgment about what is right in the speaker's view, not just a personal suggestion. 約束は守るべきです says that keeping promises is simply the right thing. Because it is a strong statement, it can sound preachy.

Modifying a noun

As a modifier, べき goes before a noun: 守るべきルール (a rule that should be kept), 考えるべき問題 (a problem to think about). The negative is ～べきではない (see the next lesson). Avoid using it to a superior; ～たほうがいいです is safer.

Examples

  • 約束（やくそく）は守（まも）るべきです。

    Yakusoku wa mamoru beki desu.

    You should keep your promises.

  • 体（からだ）の調子（ちょうし）が悪（わる）いなら、医者（いしゃ）に行（い）くべきだ。

    Karada no chōshi ga warui nara, isha ni iku beki da.

    If you feel unwell, you should go to a doctor.

  • 困（こま）っている人（ひと）がいたら、助（たす）けるべきだ。

    Komatte iru hito ga itara, tasukeru beki da.

    If someone is in trouble, you should help them.

Common mistakes

  • Use the dictionary form: 行くべき, not 行ったべき. The form is fixed.
  • It is strong and can sound like a lecture. For a softer tone, use ～たほうがいい.

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