Structure
Verb[る]+ べく
Exceptions:
す(1) + べく
(1) する
Details
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Formal
Rare Kanji
可く
About べく
As the conjunctive form of the classical auxiliary verb べし, べく will be attached to the dictionary form of verbs in order to convey the purpose of an action. This will be translated as 'for the purpose of (A), (B)', 'in order to (A), (B)', or 'to ensure that (A), (B)'.
べく itself will only attach to verbs that can be done intentionally, with some purpose in mind. The (B) part of べく sentences will also indicate an intentional action that will be performed in order to reach the goal of (A).
When combining する with べく, due to べく being a classical auxiliary verb, it will attach to the classical stem of する, す. However, in modern Japanese it is fairly common to see both すべく and するべく, with both forms being considered correct.
べく itself is a very formal structure in modern Japanese, so will rarely be used in standard speech.
Fun Fact
Although べし and all of its conjugations have slightly different translations based on the grammar points that they appear in, the underlying meaning can be stemmed from the originating kanji 可し, meaning 'to be permissible'. The focus with this kanji and all forms of べし are just that the word it is attached to is being marked as a strong goal. This means that rather than 'in order to (A)', べく is closer to 'to attain (A)', in that it adds further emphasis.
Examples
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彼は研修医となるべく、5年以上医科大学で修練しました。
In order to become a medical intern, he studied at a medical college for five years.
コーポレートサイト:「クライアントのニーズに応える可く、我が社は世界で初めて、AIカスタマーサポートを生み出しました。」
Corporate site: 'In order to meet our customers' needs, our company has developed the world's first AI customer support.'
大学ウェブサイト:「IZU科学技術大学では、予定通り秋期講座を開講す可く、鋭意準備を進めてまいりました。」
University website: 'We, at the IZU university of science and technology, have been making preparations in order to launch lectures for the Fall Term as planned.'
社長の演説:「当社はCO2排出量の低減義務を果たす可く、工場にCO2専用フィルタの取り付けを決定いたしました。」
Company president speech: 'Our company has decided to install specialized CO2 filters in our factories to ensure that we meet CO2 emission reduction obligations.'
伝記:「ホテル業界での有力者としての地位を固める可く、海外でもホテルを購入しようとしたが、拒否されてしまった。」
Biography: 'In order to cement his influential position in the hotel world, he also attempted to buy hotels abroad, but he was refused.'
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