べく (beku)

Meaning & usage

べく attaches to the plain form of a verb (する becomes すべく) and expresses purpose, meaning that someone does one action in order to achieve the goal stated by the verb before べく. It is a formal, written-style expression common in N1 texts.

Example sentences 8

1. 書籍しょせきが学問がくもんに従したがうべく、学問がくもんが書籍しょせきに従したがうべからず。

   Books must follow sciences, and not sciences books.

2. 医者になるべくどれだけ一生懸命勉強したか分かってるのか。

   Do you have any idea how hard I've studied to become a doctor?

3. 弟は一日も早く借金を返すべく、昼も夜も必死で働いている。

   My younger brother is working very hard day in and day out in order to pay the debt.

4. 病気の原因を明らかにすべく病院で診察を受けた。

   I went to the hospital to have me checked so that they can find the cause of my disease.

5. 彼女が言っているのは本当かどうか、私には分かるべくもない。

   I have no way of knowing whether she's telling the truth or not.

6. 夢への一歩を踏み出すべく体験入学に行ってみた。

   I took the first step towards my dream by visiting the school to see if it was right for me.

7. お互いの気持ちが分かるべくちゃんと話し合った方がいんじゃない。

   Wouldn't it be better to talk it out so that you both understand each other's feelings?

8. 結婚式に間に合わせるべくタクシーに乗った。

   I took a taxi so that I could be at the wedding just in time.