By ProDev Teach | Last updated: May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The structure ～べく is a formal grammatical pattern used to express purpose or intention. It can be translated as “in order to…” or “for the purpose of…”.
Structure:
Verb (dictionary form) + べく- *Exception: する → すべく
Note: This expression is used mostly in written or formal Japanese such as academic writing, business documents, or speeches.
💡 Example Sentences
- 成功すべく、彼は毎日努力を続けた。
In order to succeed, he continued to work hard every day. - 問題を解決すべく、専門家が招かれた。
In order to solve the issue, experts were invited. - 優勝すべく、チームは全力で戦った。
The team fought with all their might to win the championship. - 環境を守るべく、様々な取り組みが行われている。
Various initiatives are being undertaken in order to protect the environment. - 真実を明らかにすべく、調査が始まった。
To uncover the truth, an investigation began.
📝 Grammar Notes
～べく usually comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause, and is followed by actions taken to achieve the purpose.
It is often used in formal settings and typically pairs with verbs related to efforts, goals, and intentions.
Common verbs used with ～べく:
- 努力する (to make an effort)
- 解決する (to solve)
- 守る (to protect)
- 学ぶ (to study/learn)
- 成功する (to succeed)
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
Complete the sentences using the correct form with ～べく:
- 日本語を上達させ＿＿＿＿、毎日日本のニュースを読んでいる。
- 試験に合格す＿＿＿＿、計画的に勉強を始めた。
- 事故を防ぐ＿＿＿＿、安全対策が強化された。
✔ Answers:
- 日本語を上達させべく、毎日日本のニュースを読んでいる。
- 試験に合格すべく、計画的に勉強を始めた。
- 事故を防ぐべく、安全対策が強化された。
2. Translate to Japanese using ～べく
- In order to become a doctor, he studied hard.
- To protect the planet, the government enacted a new law.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 医者になるべく、彼は一生懸命勉強した。
- 地球を守るべく、政府は新しい法律を制定した。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～んがために: Stronger emphasis on intention, more literary.
- ～ために: Neutral and common purpose expression.
- ～ように: Softer purpose or result-based expression.
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: In order to, for the purpose of
- Form: Verb (dictionary form) + べく
- Exception: する → すべく
- Style: Formal, written Japanese
- JLPT Level: N1
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
