Processing keyword: ～べきではない (〜beki dewa nai)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～べきではない (〜beki dewa nai)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～べきではない (〜beki dewa nai). This structure is used to express that something should not or ought not be done. It's a way to give strong advice or express disapproval about an action.

---

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• ～べきではない is used to indicate that an action should not be performed.
• It conveys a sense of moral duty or obligation not to do something.

Structure

To form ～べきではない, attach べきではない to the dictionary form of a verb.

Formation:

[Verb Dictionary Form] + べきではない

Note:

• For the verb する (suru), use すべきではない instead of するべきではない.
  • するべきではない is acceptable but すべきではない is more common.

Formation Table

Verb (Dictionary Form)	+ べきではない	Meaning
行く (iku)	行くべきではない	Should not go
話す (hanasu)	話すべきではない	Should not speak
食べる (taberu)	食べるべきではない	Should not eat
する (suru)	すべきではない	Should not do
来る (kuru)	来るべきではない	Should not come

---

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

• ～てはいけない (〜te wa ikenai)
  • Meaning: Must not do / It's forbidden to
  • Usage: Indicates prohibition; often used for rules and laws.
  • Example: ここに入ってはいけない。
    • Koko ni haitte wa ikenai. (You must not enter here.)
• ～ないほうがいい (〜nai hou ga ii)
  • Meaning: It's better not to do
  • Usage: Offers gentle advice or suggestions.
  • Example: 夜更かししないほうがいい。
    • Yofukashi shinai hou ga ii. (You'd better not stay up late.)

Differences and Nuances

• Strength of Advice:
  • ～べきではない implies a strong moral recommendation or obligation not to do something.
  • ～てはいけない is a direct prohibition; it's not allowed.
  • ～ないほうがいい is softer; suggests it's better not to do something.
• Context of Use:
  • ～べきではない is often used to express personal beliefs about what is right or wrong.
  • ～てはいけない is used for rules, laws, and direct commands.
  • ～ないほうがいい is used for casual advice.

---

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 社員は会社の機密情報を漏らすべきではありません。
   • Shain wa kaisha no kimitsu jōhō o morasu beki de wa arimasen.
   • Employees should not leak the company's confidential information.
2. 学生は試験中に不正行為をするべきではない。
   • Gakusei wa shiken-chū ni fusei kōi o suru beki dewa nai.
   • Students should not commit misconduct during exams.

Casual Conversation

1. そんなに甘いものばかり食べるべきじゃないよ。
   • Sonnani amaimono bakari taberu beki janai yo.
   • You shouldn't eat so many sweets.
2. 彼に秘密を話すべきじゃなかった。
   • Kare ni himitsu o hanasu beki janakatta.
   • I shouldn't have told him the secret.

Written Language

1. 自然環境を破壊するような行為は許すべきではない。
   • Shizen kankyō o hakai suru yōna kōi wa yurusu beki dewa nai.
   • Acts that destroy the natural environment should not be tolerated.
2. 差別的な発言は社会で容認すべきではない。
   • Sabetsuteki na hatsugen wa shakai de yōnin subeki dewa nai.
   • Discriminatory remarks should not be accepted in society.

Spoken Language

1. そんな危ない場所に行くべきではないと思う。
   • Sonna abunai basho ni iku beki dewa nai to omou.
   • I think you shouldn't go to such a dangerous place.
2. 無理をするべきじゃないよ。
   • Muri o suru beki janai yo.
   • You shouldn't overdo it.

---

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Emphasis on Harmony: Japanese culture values harmony and avoiding direct confrontation. Using ～べきではない can be strong, so it's important to use it appropriately.
• Indirectness: Often, softer expressions like ～ないほうがいい are preferred in everyday conversation to maintain politeness.

Levels of Politeness

• Most Formal: ～べきではありません
  • Suitable for formal writing, speeches, or to superiors.
• Formal/Neutral: ～べきではない
  • Appropriate for written language and polite conversation.
• Casual: ～べきじゃない
  • Used among friends, family, or in informal situations.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 見るべきではないものを見た。
  • Miru beki dewa nai mono o mita.
  • I saw something I shouldn't have seen.
• 知るべきではないことを知ってしまった。
  • Shiru beki dewa nai koto o shitte shimatta.
  • I ended up knowing something I shouldn't know.

---

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Using Negative Verb Forms Incorrectly
   • Incorrect: 行かないべきではない。
     • This double negative can cause confusion.
   • Correct: 行くべきではない。
     • Use the dictionary form of the verb.
2. Overusing in Casual Conversation
   • Using ～べきではない can sound too strong or judgmental in casual settings.
   • Consider using ～ないほうがいい for softer advice.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • べき sounds like "beckon," think of "beckoning" someone to do the right thing.
  • ではない means "is not," so together, "should is not" → "should not."
• Practice Makes Perfect:
  • Create sentences using verbs you commonly use.
  • Swap between positive (～べきだ) and negative (～べきではない) forms to understand the differences.

---

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～べきではない is used to express strong advice that something should not be done.
• Attach べきではない to the dictionary form of a verb.
• Be cautious with the level of politeness and strength when using this grammar point.
• It's stronger than ～ないほうがいい and carries a sense of moral obligation.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Form a sentence: "You should not tell lies." Answer: 嘘をつくべきではない。
   • Uso o tsuku beki dewa nai.
2. Is this sentence correct? Why or why not? "宿題をしないべきではない。" Answer: Incorrect. You should use the dictionary form of the verb.
   • Correct sentence: 宿題をするべきではない。
     • You should not do homework. (However, contextually, it might make more sense to say 宿題をしないべきではない meaning "You should not not do your homework," which is confusing. It's better to phrase it positively.)
3. Which is stronger, ～べきではない or ～ないほうがいい? Answer: ～べきではない is stronger than ～ないほうがいい.

---

By mastering ～べきではない, you can effectively express strong advice or moral judgments in Japanese, enhancing your communication skills and understanding of social nuances.

---

© Hanabira.org