〜べく
In Order to (Formal)
〜べく is a formal, literary way to express purpose. It is used when someone performs an action with a clear, strong goal or a sense of duty. It is primarily found in written reports, formal speeches, and professional documents.
How It Works
1. Usage and Nuance
〜べく is much more formal than ために. While both mean 'in order to,' 〜べく carries a nuance of strong will, professional duty, or a logical necessity to achieve a specific objective. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
2. Formation
- Verbs: Dictionary Form + べく
- Special Case (する): You can use either すべく (traditional/formal) or するべく (modern). すべく is generally preferred in high-level formal writing.
3. Constraints
- The subject of both clauses must be the same.
- The second clause (the action) cannot be a command, request, or suggestion. It must describe a factual action or state.
- It is used with volitional verbs (actions you can control).
Examples (4)
- 彼は政治家になるべく、法学部で学んでいる。
He is studying in the faculty of law in order to become a politician.
Word by Word: He, politician to become-purpose, law-faculty at is-studying.
This shows a long-term, serious goal. Using 〜べく emphasizes his strong resolve to enter politics.
- 真相を究明すべく、調査委員会が設置された。
An investigative committee was established with the aim of investigating the truth.
Word by Word: Truth (obj) investigate-purpose, investigation-committee (subj) was-established.
This is a typical formal sentence found in news or reports. 'すべく' is used here with the verb '究明する' (to investigate thoroughly).
- 恩師に会うべく、久しぶりに母校を訪ねた。
In order to meet my former teacher, I visited my alma mater for the first time in ages.
Word by Word: Former-teacher to meet-purpose, long-time-after alma-mater (obj) visited.
The speaker had a specific, strong intention for the visit, making 〜べく appropriate for this slightly formal narrative style.
- 新商品を開発すべく、市場調査を開始した。
We have begun market research with the aim of developing a new product.
Word by Word: New-product (obj) develop-purpose, market-research (obj) started.
In a business context, 〜べく indicates a strategic purpose behind a corporate action.
Common Mistakes
Using 〜べく with a command or request in the second clause.
合格するべく、毎日勉強しなさい。合格するべく、毎日勉強している。〜べく cannot be followed by commands (〜しなさい), requests, or suggestions. It should be followed by a statement of what the subject is actually doing to achieve the goal.
Using 〜べく when the speaker intends to express an inevitable result rather than a purpose.
事故は起こるべく起きた。事故は起こるべくして起きた。Learners often confuse 〜べく (in order to) with the idiomatic expression 〜べくして (as was bound to happen). While they share a root, 〜べく alone indicates purpose, whereas 〜べくして indicates that an outcome was inevitable.
How It Connects
Learn This First
〜べく is a formal expression used primarily in writing to indicate a purpose or intention ('in order to'). It is the literary equivalent of 〜ために. To understand it, learners should be familiar with basic purpose markers, verb dictionary forms, and the formal/written register of Japanese.
- ためにIn Order To/for
〜べく is a formal, written version of the purpose marker 〜ために. Understanding the basic concept of expressing purpose is essential.
Level 3 - Written Continuative
〜べく is a classical/literary continuative form (the 'ku' form of the auxiliary 'beshi'). Understanding how written Japanese uses continuative forms to connect clauses is helpful.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- ようにSo That/in Order to
Used for 'in order to' when the goal involves a change in state or a non-volitional outcome, whereas 〜べく focuses on the actor's strong will.
Level 3 - 〜べきShould/ought to
Shares the same classical root but is used to express that something 'should' or 'ought to' be done rather than expressing a purpose.
Level 4 - つもりIntend to
A common way to express intention ('intend to') in daily conversation, whereas 〜べく is reserved for formal writing.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice 〜べく in Bubblegum
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