Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 7/17

べからず

Do not, Must not, Should not, Cannot (べからざる)

Structure

Verb + べから
Exceptions:
する(1) + べから

Verb + べからざる + Noun
which is generally limited to:
(ゆる)べからざる + Noun
ありうべからざる + Noun
()べからざる + Noun

(1) する

Details

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    Formal

  • Rare Kanji

    可からず

About べからず

べからず, and べからざる are two formal expressions used to convey the meaning of 'must not (A)', or 'ought not to (A)'. It is a combination of the helper-conjugation form of the auxiliary verb べし, べから, and the classical auxiliary verb ず 'not'. ざる itself is just the helper-conjugation form of ず, meaning that the nuance remains exactly the same. In this way, we can see that the literal meaning of 'ought not (A)' exhibits some sort of moral or logical obligation, as is true for all uses of べき derived patterns.

べからず and べからざる will be seen following verbs in their dictionary forms. べからざる will be followed by a noun, indicating that the noun is being modified by the phrase.

In modern Japanese, the meanings of both of these grammar patterns have shifted slightly from 'obligation', to simply having a strong nuance of 'don't (A)'. In addition to this, they will almost only ever be used on signs or notices.

Caution

The べからざる form that combines with nouns is usually only seen in a few set variations. These are (ゆる)べからざる 'cannot be forgiven', ありうべからざる 'must not exist' (impossible), and ()べからざる 'must not be without'.

Examples

--:--

    公園(こうえん)看板(かんばん):「芝生(しばふ)にゴミ()てるべからず

    A signboard at the park: 'Do not dump rubbish on the lawn'

    空気(くうき)()きるに()べからざるものだ。

    Air is essential to life. (Must not lack air)

    ブログ記事(きじ):「英語(えいご)上手(じょうず)にフォーマルな手紙(てがみ)()くための「べし・べからず(しゅう)

    Blog post: 'Dos and Don'ts for writing a formal letter in English skillfully.'

    もろい歴史的(れきしてき)建造物(けんぞうぶつ)手前(てまえ)看板(かんばん):「(なか)(はい)べからず

    A signboard in front of the fragile historic building: 'Do not enter inside'

    小説(しょうせつ):「さだおさんがなにゆえそのような(ゆる)べからざる大罪(だいざい)(おか)したのか、ゆうささんは(かい)できなかった。」

    Novel: 'Yusa-san couldn't understand why did Sadao-san commit such an unpardonable crime.' (a crime that cannot be forgiven)

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      べからず – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • darkhelmet

        darkhelmet

        I found that this grammar point was referenced in Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar p. 29, instead of Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar p. 29.

      • mrnoone

        mrnoone

        @darkhelmet
        Thank you for the feedback!

        I have fixed the error, Cheers!

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