What it means
べき expresses what someone is expected, morally required, or strongly advised to do. It usually follows a verb in the dictionary form and is commonly used with だ or です. The speaker presents the action as the proper or necessary choice, so it can sound stronger and more judgmental than a simple suggestion. With する, both するべき and the shorter すべき are used. Nouns and na-adjectives can express an expected state with であるべき.
Usage note
べきだ can sound forceful, especially when telling another person what they must do. The negative form べきではない means that someone ought not to do something. Do not confuse it with はずだ, which expresses an expectation based on information or reasoning rather than duty.
How to use it
彼はチームの代表者であるべきです。
He should be the representative of the team.
担当者は慎重であるべきです。
The person in charge should be careful.
学生は試験の前に十分に休むべきです。
Students should get enough rest before an examination.
彼はチームの代表者であるべきだ。
He should be the representative of the team.
担当者は慎重であるべきだ。
The person in charge should be careful.
学生は試験の前に十分に休むべきだ。
Students should get enough rest before an examination.
Example sentences
図書館では、利用者は静かにするべきです。
In the library, users should be quiet.
大切な書類は、火事に備えて金庫に保管するべきです。
Important documents should be stored in a safe in preparation for a fire.
困っている人には、もっと親切であるべきです。
We should be kinder to people who are having trouble.
試験の