connective N1 rare writtenliterary
〜べく — in order to ~ / so as to ~
〜べく ・ べく
Builds on 〜べきだ
Meaning
- in order to ~ / so as to ~ — a formal/literary statement of purpose
Key sentence
真実を知るべく、彼は調査を始めた。
In order to learn the truth, he began an investigation.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) | V-dict + べく | 実現する → 実現すべく／実現するべく |
When: Written and formal — reports, news, formal narration. Spoken Japanese uses ために or ように.
Examples
新しい市場を開拓すべく、会社は海外に進出した。
In order to open up new markets, the company expanded overseas.
期待に応えるべく、選手たちは練習を重ねた。
So as to live up to expectations, the players trained relentlessly.
問題を解決すべく、専門家が集められた。
Experts were gathered in order to solve the problem.
When you can't use it
- する becomes すべく (the classical form), though するべく is also seen. The subject of the purpose clause and the main clause must be the same person.
Easily confused with
ために Same purpose meaning. ために is neutral and used everywhere; べく is its formal/literary equivalent, restricted to written Japanese. ように ように states purpose with potential or uncontrollable results (分かるように 'so that it can be understood'); べく, like ために, takes a volitional verb (知るべく 'in order to learn').
Notes
- Both べく and べきだ derive from the classical auxiliary べし; べきだ expresses obligation, べく expresses purpose.
See 〜べく in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜べく the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSee also
Sources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.