Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 11/17

べく

For the purpose of, In order to, To ensure

Structure

Verb[る]+ べく

Exceptions:
(1) + べく

(1) する

Details

  • Register

    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 ()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

--:--

    (かれ)研修医(けんしゅうい)なるべく、5(ねん)以上(いじょう)医科大学(いかだいがく)修練(しゅうれん)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(こた)える()()(しゃ)世界(せかい)(はじ)めて、AIカスタマーサポートを()()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(だいがく)ウェブサイト:「IZU科学技術大学(かがくぎじゅつだいがく)では、予定通(よていどお)秋期(しゅうき)講座(こうざ)開講(かいこう)()鋭意(えいい)準備(じゅんび)(すす)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(しゃちょう)演説(えんぜつ):「当社(とうしゃ)はCO2排出量(はいしゅつりょう)低減(ていげん)義務(ぎむ)()たす()工場(こうじょう)にCO2専用(せんよう)フィルタの()()けを決定(けってい)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(でんき):「ホテル業界(ぎょうかい)での有力者(ゆうりょくしゃ)としての地位(ちい)(かた)める()海外(かいがい)でもホテルを購入(こうにゅう)しようとしたが、拒否(きょひ)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.'

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

べく – Grammar Discussion

    There's currently no discussion for べく
    Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!