N3 Advice, Obligation, and Prohibition

~べきだ: meaning, usage and examples

~べきだ means: should / ought to (strong sense of duty).

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

Examples

1. 借かりたお金かねは必かならず返かえすべきです。

   You should definitely return money you borrowed.

2. 大事だいじなことは、もっと早はやく言いうべきだった。

   You should have said the important things sooner.

3. お年寄としよりには席せきをゆずるべきだと思おもいます。

   I think people should give up their seats to older people.

4. もっと早はやく医者いしゃに行いくべきでした。

   I should have gone to the doctor sooner.

When to use it

Expresses strong moral obligation or expectation: 'should, ought to'.

Nuance

べき is more morally charged than ほうがいい. It implies social duty or principle.

Compare

ほうがいい (practical advice). べき (moral/logical obligation). はずだ (expectation).

Tip: するべき is used more in speech; すべき is more literary. Both appear on JLPT.