???? What is this grammar?
～べく is a formal, literary grammar structure used to mean:
- “In order to…”
- “For the purpose of…”
It’s often used in written, official, or academic contexts to express the goal or purpose behind an action.
???? Structure
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary form + べく | 学ぶべく | In order to learn |
???? Note:
- する → するべく / すべく
(both are used, but すべく is a bit more classical)
???? Meaning in Context
Used when:
- Explaining the purpose, intention, or aim of a certain action.
- Prefacing an action done for a reason, especially in formal writing.
English equivalents:
- “In order to…”
- “For the purpose of…”
- “With the intention of…”
???? Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 合格すべく、毎日勉強している。 | In order to pass, I study every day. |
| 問題を解決すべく、会議が開かれた。 | A meeting was held to solve the problem. |
| 世界を変えるべく、彼は新しいプロジェクトを始めた。 | In order to change the world, he started a new project. |
| 真実を明らかにすべく、調査が行われた。 | An investigation was conducted to uncover the truth. |
| 優勝すべく、チームは一致団結した。 | The team united in order to win. |
???? Nuances & Tone
- This is a very formal, literary expression.
- Rarely used in casual conversations — mostly appears in:
- Newspaper articles
- Academic papers
- Business reports
- Official speeches
It has a serious, resolute tone — often emphasizing the deliberate effort toward a goal.
???? Comparison with Similar Patterns
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 〜ために | In order to | General, neutral |
| 〜ように | So that / In order to | Natural, goal-oriented |
| 〜べく | In order to | Formal, literary, intentional |
| 〜ことによって | By means of / Through | Method-focused |
Example:
- 合格するために、勉強する。 → normal
- 合格すべく、勉強する。 → very formal, literary
✅ Practice Exercise
Translate into Japanese using ～べく:
- In order to reduce expenses, the company introduced new policies.
- In order to protect nature, laws were created.
- In order to study Japanese, I came to Japan.
Possible Answers:
- 費用を削減すべく、会社は新しい方針を導入した。
- 自然を守るべく、法律が作られた。
- 日本語を学ぶべく、日本に来た。
???? Summary Table
| Grammar | ～べく |
|---|---|
| Meaning | In order to, for the purpose of |
| Structure | Verb (dictionary form) + べく |
| Nuance | Formal, written, deliberate |
| Usage | Official writing, speeches, academic works |
???? Pro Tip:
You’ll often encounter this in:
- N1 reading comprehension passages
- 新聞 (newspapers)
- ビジネスレター (business letters)
- 公式発表 (official announcements)
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