JLPT N1 grammar
〜まじき — Meaning & Examples
"Should never (do) — unforgivable to..." Fixed, formal condemnation: 許すまじき行為 (an unforgivable act); 教師にあるまじき発言 (a remark unbefitting a teacher).
〜まじき — "Should Never (Do) — Unforgivable To..."
まじき is an old auxiliary meaning "must not / should never" — it survives only in fixed, formal condemnations, almost always followed by a noun like 行為 (act) or a role like 教師 (teacher).
Pattern: [verb dictionary form] + まじき + [noun] ／ [noun/role] + にあるまじき + [noun]
許すまじき行為だ。
= This is an unforgivable act.
教師にあるまじき発言だった。
= It was a remark unbefitting of a teacher.
医者にあるまじき無責任な対応に、患者は怒った。
= The patient was furious at a response so irresponsible it was unbefitting of a doctor.
Register: Strong, formal condemnation — editorials, official reprimands, moral outrage in writing.
Key feeling: A judge's gavel — this crosses a line that a person in this role should never cross.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜まじき. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「許すまじき行為だ。」 means?
- This is an unforgivable act
- This is a forgivable mistake
- This act is required
- This act is optional
Show answer
Answer: This is an unforgivable act
まじき = should never (do) — unforgivable to... — a fixed, formal condemnation, here paired with 行為 (act).
2. 「教師にあるまじき発言だった。」 means?
- It was a typical teacher remark
- It was a remark unbefitting of a teacher
- Teachers must say this
- The remark was praised
Show answer
Answer: It was a remark unbefitting of a teacher
にあるまじき + noun = "should never be true of X" — here, a remark that crosses a line a teacher should never cross.
Practise 〜まじき 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 〜まじき mean?
"Should never (do) — unforgivable to..." Fixed, formal condemnation: 許すまじき行為 (an unforgivable act); 教師にあるまじき発言 (a remark unbefitting a teacher).
Is 〜まじき on the JLPT N1 test?
〜まじき 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 〜まじき?
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.