べきだ | Should and Ought To in Japanese

Duty, Not Advice

べきだ states what is right — a moral or social obligation, not a helpful suggestion.

The pair learners most often swap, and getting it wrong changes the social temperature:

Pattern	Force
ほうがいい	you'd be better off — friendly advice
べきだ	you ought to — a judgement about what is right

休(やす)んだほうがいいですよ is kind. 休(やす)むべきです is a verdict. Directed at a superior, べきだ is close to a reprimand.

For something legally or practically required, use なければならない:


○ ビザを取(と)らなければならない	a legal requirement
△ ビザを取(と)るべきだ	sounds like your personal opinion

The irregular verb has two accepted forms. すべき is the older and more formal; するべき is now equally standard and commoner in speech.

The negative goes on べき, not on the verb: 言(い)うべきではない (you shouldn't say it), never ×言(い)わないべきだ.

Example Sentences

Tap any sentence to hear it read aloud.

Speed

約束(やくそく)は守(まも)るべきです。

You ought to keep your promises.

もっと早(はや)く相談(そうだん)するべきでした。

I should have consulted you sooner.

そんなことを言(い)うべきではありません。

You shouldn't say things like that.

子供(こども)の意見(いけん)も尊重(そんちょう)すべきだ。

Children's opinions should be respected too.

環境(かんきょう)を守(まも)るために行動(こうどう)すべきです。

We ought to act to protect the environment.

責任者(せきにんしゃ)が説明(せつめい)するべきだと思(おも)います。

I think the person in charge ought to explain.

結論(けつろん)を急(いそ)ぐべきではない。

We shouldn't rush to a conclusion.

今(いま)こそ見直(みなお)すべき時(とき)です。

Now is precisely the time we should reconsider.