N1 Purpose and Means

~べく: meaning, usage and examples

~べく means: in order to... / for the purpose of...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. N1に合格ごうかくすべく、毎日まいにち3時間じかん勉強べんきょうしている。

   In order to pass the N1, I am studying for 3 hours every day.

2. 真実しんじつを確たしかめるべく、彼かれは現地げんちへ飛とんだ。

   He flew to the location in order to ascertain the truth.

3. 新あたらしい市場しじょうを開拓かいたくすべく、同社どうしゃは海外かいがいに支社ししゃを設立せつりつした。

   To open up new markets, the company set up a branch overseas.

4. 被災ひさい地ちを支援しえんすべく、全国ぜんこくから多おおくのボランティアが集あつまった。

   Many volunteers came from all over the country to support the disaster area.

When to use it

A formal way to state a purpose: in order to do something. The speaker or a third party acts with a clear aim. Example: 真相しんそうを確たしかめるべく、現地げんちへ向むかった (he headed to the site to find out the truth). Common in news articles, company statements and formal speech.

Nuance

Formal and written; べく is the formal version of ために. The following clause describes an intentional action, and it cannot be a request or command (not べく、来きてください). する usually becomes すべく. Not used with the speaker's casual daily plans.

Compare

べく ≈ ために, but stiffer: 合格ごうかくするために勉強べんきょうする (everyday) vs 合格ごうかくすべく勉強べんきょうする (formal). んがために is even stronger and often critical: 勝かたんがために手段しゅだんを選えらばない. ように is for non-volitional goals: 聞きこえるように大おおきな声こえで話はなす; べく needs a volitional verb.

Tip: Do not confuse べく with べき (should). べく ends a purpose clause and is followed by an action; べき is about duty.