JLPT N3 grammar
はず — Meaning & Examples
"Should be / expected to be" — based on logic or evidence. 来るはず = should come. Negative: はずがない = can't possibly be.
はず — "Should Be / Expected To"
〜はず expresses what you believe SHOULD be the case based on evidence or logic.
Pattern: [plain form] + はずです
Examples:
田中さんは今日来るはずです。
= Tanaka should be coming today. (I have reason to believe)
電車はもう着いたはずです。
= The train should have already arrived. (based on the schedule)
ここに置いたはずなのに、ないです。
= I should have put it here, but it's gone!
With adjectives:
暑いはずです。 = It should be hot. (i-adjective)
静かなはずです。 = It should be quiet. (na-adjective + な)
With nouns:
学生のはずです。 = (S)he should be a student.
Negative — 〜はずがない / 〜はずない:
"No way that... / can't possibly be..."
そんなはずがない！
= That can't possibly be true!
田中さんが嘘をつくはずがない。
= There's no way Tanaka would lie.
Key feeling: Confidence based on logic/evidence. Stronger than と思う (I think), weaker than きっと (certainly).
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on はず. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. はず expresses?
- Expectation based on evidence
- Definite fact
- Past habit
- Wish
Show answer
Answer: Expectation based on evidence
はず = "should be / expected to be" based on logic or evidence. Stronger than と思う, weaker than きっと.
2. "That can't possibly be true!" is?
- そんなつもりです
- そんなはずです
- そんなはずがない
- そんなことだけ
Show answer
Answer: そんなはずがない
はずがない = "no way / can't possibly be." そんなはずがない = "that can't be true!" Strong disbelief.
3. "So that's why your Japanese is good!" uses?
- わけ (wake)
- はず (hazu)
- つもり (tsumori)
- ようになる (you ni naru)
Show answer
Answer: わけ (wake)
〜わけですね = "it follows that / so that's why." Used to draw conclusions from evidence. 上手なわけですね = So that's why you're good!
Practise はず in the free app
This point is part of the “Expectation and Reasoning — はず・わけ・つもり” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: Expectation and Reasoning — はず・わけ・つもり
Frequently asked questions
What does はず mean?
"Should be / expected to be" — based on logic or evidence. 来るはず = should come. Negative: はずがない = can't possibly be.
Is はず on the JLPT N3 test?
はず is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Expectation and Reasoning — はず・わけ・つもり”), 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 はず?
Open the “Expectation and Reasoning — はず・わけ・つもり” 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 N3 mock exams, with no ads.