〜べきではない: This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

N2 KMT7NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedProhibition And Social UnacceptabilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + べきではないPrimary

な-Adjective + であるべきではない

い-Adjective [stem] + くあるべきではない

Verb [dictionary form] + べきじゃない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

人を見た目で判断するべきではない。

One should not judge people by their appearance.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCore Concepts Emotions & Psychology

あんなにひどいことを言うべきではなかったと後悔している。

I regret that I shouldn't have said such a terrible thing.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionEmotions & Psychology Family & Relationships

お客様の個人情報は、いかなる理由があっても外部に漏らすべきではない。

Customer personal information should not be leaked externally for any reason whatsoever.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionBusiness & Finance Work & Career

そんなに他人に頼るべきじゃないよ。もっと自立しなきゃ。

You shouldn't rely on others that much. You have to be more independent.

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

政治家は常に公平であるべきで、特定の団体にだけ有利な政策を進めるべきではない。

Politicians should always be impartial and should not advance policies that only benefit specific groups.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionPolitics & Law

This phrase is like saying, "You really shouldn't do that." It shows what the speaker thinks is right. It feels like a strong suggestion or advice.

This is different from "~te wa ikenai." That means you must not do something. It is a rule from a person or group. This is also softer than "~te wa naranai." That is a very strong rule. It is often used in laws.

Don't use this when you want to say "should not NOT do something". For example, you cannot say "should not not go". You must say "should go" instead.

Often confused with(2)

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

Contrasts with(1)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜まじき

This means something is not right to do. It is especially used when someone in a certain role does something wrong.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜べきだ

This means you really should do something. It shows what is right or what you must do.

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Dictionary

〜べきではない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

N2 KMT7NeutralStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedProhibition And Social UnacceptabilityGrammar

Verb [dictionary form] + べきではないPrimary

な-Adjective + であるべきではない

い-Adjective [stem] + くあるべきではない

Verb [dictionary form] + べきじゃない

This means you should not do something. It is like saying 'it is wrong to do this'. People use it for things that are not good to do.

人を見た目で判断するべきではない。

One should not judge people by their appearance.

NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionCore Concepts Emotions & Psychology

あんなにひどいことを言うべきではなかったと後悔している。

I regret that I shouldn't have said such a terrible thing.

NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionEmotions & Psychology Family & Relationships

お客様の個人情報は、いかなる理由があっても外部に漏らすべきではない。

Customer personal information should not be leaked externally for any reason whatsoever.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionBusiness & Finance Work & Career

そんなに他人に頼るべきじゃないよ。もっと自立しなきゃ。

You shouldn't rely on others that much. You have to be more independent.

CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingProhibitionFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

政治家は常に公平であるべきで、特定の団体にだけ有利な政策を進めるべきではない。

Politicians should always be impartial and should not advance policies that only benefit specific groups.

FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceProhibitionPolitics & Law

This phrase is like saying, "You really shouldn't do that." It shows what the speaker thinks is right. It feels like a strong suggestion or advice.

Don't use this when you want to say "should not NOT do something". For example, you cannot say "should not not go". You must say "should go" instead.

Often confused with(2)

〜てはいけない

This means you must not do something. It tells you what is not allowed. You use it for rules or strong orders.

〜てはならない

This means you must not do something. It shows a strong rule or law. It is forbidden to do it.

Contrasts with(1)

〜わけにはいかない

You cannot do something. This is because of rules or what people expect. You might want to do it, but you just can't.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜まじき

This means something is not right to do. It is especially used when someone in a certain role does something wrong.

辞書形

This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

〜べきだ

This means you really should do something. It shows what is right or what you must do.

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Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜べきではない

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with4

Often confused with(2)

Contrasts with(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites2

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〜べきではない

Patterns4

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Restrictions1

Compare with4

Often confused with(2)

Contrasts with(1)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites2

Track your mastery