JLPT N1 grammar
〜べく（〜べからず） — Meaning & Examples
"In order to..." (formal purpose: 夢を実現すべく、海外へ渡った). べからず = old-style "must not," seen on signs: 芝生に入るべからず.
〜べく（〜べからず） — "In Order To..." / "Must Not"
べく is a literary purpose marker meaning "in order to (achieve X)" — formal and determined. Its old negative cousin べからず means "shall not," seen mostly on old-fashioned signs.
Pattern: [verb dictionary form] + べく
夢を実現すべく、彼は海外へ渡った。
= In order to realise his dream, he went abroad.
事態を打開すべく、緊急会議が開かれた。
= In order to break the deadlock, an emergency meeting was held.
（する → すべく is the standard irregular form, not "するべく," though both appear.）
べからず — old-fashioned prohibition, seen on signs:
芝生に入るべからず。
= Do not enter the lawn. (formal, old-style signage — modern equivalent: 入らないでください)
初心忘るべからず。
= Never forget your beginner's spirit. (a famous proverb)
Key feeling: べく = determined purpose, marching toward a goal. べからず = an old stone sign, dignified and absolute.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜べく（〜べからず）. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「夢を実現すべく、彼は海外へ渡った。」 means?
- He gave up on his dream
- He realised his dream without leaving home
- In order to realise his dream, he went abroad
- He forgot his dream
Show answer
Answer: In order to realise his dream, he went abroad
べく = in order to (achieve X) — a formal, determined purpose marker.
2. How does んがため(に) differ from べく?
- They are identical in tone
- んがため(に) is rarer and more dramatic, often carrying desperation or total commitment; べく is common formal purpose
- べく is only used in questions
- んがため(に) cannot follow verbs
Show answer
Answer: んがため(に) is rarer and more dramatic, often carrying desperation or total commitment; べく is common formal purpose
べく is standard formal purpose; んがため(に) is a more literary, dramatic cousin often paired with 必死で or すべてを犠牲にして.
Practise 〜べく（〜べからず） in the free app
This point is part of the “Duty, Purpose & Left Undone — まじき・べく(べからず)・んがため(に)・ずじまい” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Duty, Purpose & Left Undone — まじき・べく(べからず)・んがため(に)・ずじまい
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜べく（〜べからず） mean?
"In order to..." (formal purpose: 夢を実現すべく、海外へ渡った). べからず = old-style "must not," seen on signs: 芝生に入るべからず.
Is 〜べく（〜べからず） on the JLPT N1 test?
〜べく（〜べからず） is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Duty, Purpose & Left Undone — まじき・べく(べからず)・んがため(に)・ずじまい”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜べく（〜べからず）?
Open the “Duty, Purpose & Left Undone — まじき・べく(べからず)・んがため(に)・ずじまい” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.