Structure
Verb + べからず
Exceptions:
する → す(1) + べからず
Verb + べからざる + Noun
which is generally limited to:
許すべからざる + Noun
ありうべからざる + Noun
欠くべからざる + 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 許すべからざる 'cannot be forgiven', ありうべからざる 'must not exist' (impossible), and 欠くべからざる 'must not be without'.
Synonyms
Examples
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公園の看板:「芝生にゴミ捨てるべからず」
A signboard at the park: 'Do not dump rubbish on the lawn'
空気は生きるに欠くべからざるものだ。
Air is essential to life. (Must not lack air)
ブログ記事:「英語で上手にフォーマルな手紙を書くための「べし・べからず」集」
Blog post: 'Dos and Don'ts for writing a formal letter in English skillfully.'
もろい歴史的建造物の手前の看板:「中に入るべからず」
A signboard in front of the fragile historic building: 'Do not enter inside'
小説:「さだおさんがなにゆえそのような許すべからざる大罪を犯したのか、ゆうささんは解できなかった。」
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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GuideToJapanese
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Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
Page 59
Sou Matome Bunpou N1
Page 88, Page 89
Try N1
Page 161
A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
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べからず – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
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
@darkhelmet
Thank you for the feedback!I have fixed the error, Cheers!
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