Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
As much as possible; if possible.
🎯 Primary Function
To express that one will make an effort to do something within the bounds of possibility, or to request the same from others.
📋 Grammar Structure
なるべく + Verb / Phrase
なるべく + I-adjective (+ Noun/Verb)
なるべく + Na-adjective (+ に/な)
なるべく + Negative Verb (ない-form / ずに)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used frequently in business to make polite requests or express intentions with a layer of flexibility.
Informal Situations
Used among friends to suggest plans or personal goals without sounding too demanding.
Written Language
Used in emails, notices, and memos to state guidelines or requests.
Spoken Language
Very common in everyday conversation to soften requests.
💡 Common Applications
Making Requests
Used to politely ask someone to do something while acknowledging that there may be constraints.
Example: なるべく早くお願いします。
Personal Goals/Habits
Used to describe an effort to maintain a certain behavior without being overly rigid.
Example: なるべく歩くようにしています。
Softening Expectations
Used to suggest a desired outcome while leaving room for unavoidable circumstances.
Example: なるべく欠席しないように。
Frequency
High. Commonly used in daily conversations, business settings, and instructions.
Difficulty
JLPT N3 (Intermediate)
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Example Sentences
Example #1
なるべく早く来てください。
Furigana: なるべくはや（早）くき（来）てください。
Romaji: Narubeku hayaku kite kudasai.
English: Please come as early as possible.
Example #2
健康のために、なるべく野菜を食べるようにしています。
Furigana: けんこう（健康）のために、なるべくやさい（野菜）をた（食）べるようにしています。
Romaji: Kenkou no tame ni, narubeku yasai o taberu you ni shite imasu.
English: I try to eat vegetables as much as possible for my health.
Example #3
図書館では、なるべく静かにしてください。
Furigana: としょかん（図書館）では、なるべくしず（静）かにしてください。
Romaji: Toshokan de wa, narubeku shizuka ni shite kudasai.
English: Please be as quiet as possible in the library.
Example #4
明日の会議には、なるべく出席してください。
Furigana: あした（明日）のかいぎ（会議）には、なるべくしゅっせき（出席）してください。
Romaji: Ashita no kaigi ni wa, narubeku shusseki shite kudasai.
English: Please attend tomorrow’s meeting if possible.
Example #5
この仕事は、なるべく今日中に終わらせたいです。
Furigana: このしごと（仕事）は、なるべくきょうじゅう（今日中）にお（終）わらせたいです。
Romaji: Kono shigoto wa, narubeku kyoujuu ni owarasetai desu.
English: I want to finish this work within today if possible.
Example #6
なるべく安いホテルを探しています。
Furigana: なるべくやす（安）いホテルをさが（探）しています。
Romaji: Narubeku yasui hoteru o sagashite imasu.
English: I am looking for a hotel that is as cheap as possible.
Example #7
メールの返信は、なるべくその日のうちにします。
Furigana: メールのへんしん（返信）は、なるべくそのひ（日）のうちにします。
Romaji: Meeru no henshin wa, narubeku sono hi no uchi ni shimasu.
English: I reply to emails within the same day as much as possible.
Example #8
なるべく自分一人の力でやってみたい。
Furigana: なるべくじぶん（自分）ひと（一人）のちから（力）でやってみたい。
Romaji: Narubeku jibun hitori no chikara de yatte mitai.
English: I want to try doing it by myself as much as possible.
Example #9
なるべく具体的に説明してください。
Furigana: なるべくぐたいてき（具体的）にせつめい（説明）してください。
Romaji: Narubeku gutaiteki ni setsumei shite kudasai.
English: Please explain as specifically as possible.
Example #10
無理はしなくていいですが、なるべく頑張ってください。
Furigana: むり（無理）はしなくていいですが、なるべくがんば（頑張）ってください。
Romaji: Muri wa shinakute ii desu ga, narubeku ganbatte kudasai.
English: Don’t push yourself too hard, but please do your best as much as possible.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Degree of Certainty
Narubeku implies a best effort, whereas words like ‘zettai’ imply a 100% commitment with no exceptions.
Example: なるべく野菜を食べます。 vs. 絶対に野菜を食べます。
Flexibility
Narubeku often emphasizes the “effort” or “if the situation allows,” while ‘Dekiru dake’ emphasizes “to the limit of one’s ability.”
Example: なるべく早く (as early as possible) vs. できるだけ早く (as early as possible/can).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 絶対になるべく早く。 (Using it with absolute words)
✅ できるだけ早く来てください。 (or keep なるべく)
While “Zettai” (absolutely) is a fixed demand, “Narubeku” implies “if you can,” so mixing them can be contradictory if you want to sound strictly mandatory.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Medium-High. It is a polite way to ask for something without being bossy.
Social Situations: Ideal for business emails when you want to set a deadline but remain polite.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; understood nationwide.
🔍 Subtle Differences
なるべく vs. できるだけ
‘Dekiru dake’ sounds slightly more determined or focused on pushing one’s physical/mental limits. ‘Narubeku’ is slightly softer and more about ‘if circumstances permit.’
When to use: Use ‘Narubeku’ for general habits or polite business requests. Use ‘Dekiru dake’ for personal challenges or desperate requests.
📝 Conjugation Notes
なるべく is an adverb and does not conjugate. It is usually placed before the verb or adjective it modifies.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The pitch usually starts low and rises on ‘ru’, then stays relatively flat. ‘na-RU-beku’.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Narubeku’ as ‘Naru’ (to become) + ‘Beku’ (should/possible). It essentially means ‘as it should be possible.’
Other Grammar
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