cannot possibly be ~ (べくもない) – Japanese Grammar べくもない (beku mo nai)

Q: What JLPT level is べくもない?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use べくもない in a sentence?

Attach べくもない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Cannot possibly be ~

Q: Is べくもない formal or casual Japanese?

べくもない is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

べくもない

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

beku mo nai

cannot possibly be ~

わ wa を前提として o zentei toshite に難くない ni katakunai に足る / に足りる ni taru/tariru を押して /を押し切って o oshite /o oshikitte 手前 temae だの〜だの dano~dano ぶる / ぶって / ぶった buru / butte / butta なくしては nakushite wa およそ oyoso を控えて o hikaete そばから soba kara ようが / ようと you ga / you to にもほどがある nimo hodo ga aru ばこそ ba koso ぐるみ gurumi に至るまで ni itaru made に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta をよそに o yoso ni いかにも ikani mo わ wa を前提として o zentei toshite に難くない ni katakunai に足る / に足りる ni taru/tariru を押して /を押し切って o oshite /o oshikitte 手前 temae だの〜だの dano~dano ぶる / ぶって / ぶった buru / butte / butta なくしては nakushite wa およそ oyoso を控えて o hikaete そばから soba kara ようが / ようと you ga / you to にもほどがある nimo hodo ga aru ばこそ ba koso ぐるみ gurumi に至るまで ni itaru made に至る / に至った ni itaru / ni itatta をよそに o yoso ni いかにも ikani mo

🃏 Flashcard

べくもない

beku mo nai

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cannot possibly be ~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading beku mo nai

Post ID 51199

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

cannot possibly be ~

📖 How to use it

Expresses that something cannot possibly be the case, often due to obvious reasons or lack of possibility.

Attaches to Attach to the dictionary form of a verb (e.g., ある, できる) followed by べくもない. For nouns or na-adjectives, use である before べくもない.

This pattern is used to strongly deny the possibility of something. It often appears in written or formal contexts, expressing that something is unthinkable or beyond reach. The nuance is that the event is not just unlikely, but logically or evidently impossible.

It is frequently used with verbs like ある (to exist) or できる (to be possible) to say something like 'cannot possibly exist' or 'cannot possibly be done.' For example, 成功するべくもない means 'there is no way it can succeed.' Note that it is not used in casual conversation; it sounds stiff and literary.

When using with a noun or na-adjective, you need to add である: 彼が犯人であるべくもない (He cannot possibly be the culprit). The pattern is often preceded by phrases that give a reason, like 予想するべくもない (could not have anticipated).

こんなに練習していないのに、試合に勝てるべくもない。

Konna ni renshuu shite inai no ni, shiai ni kateru beku mo nai.

We haven't practiced at all, so there's no way we can win the match.

彼がそんなことをするとは、知るべくもなかった。

Kare ga sonna koto o suru to wa, shiru beku mo nakatta.

There was no way I could have known that he would do such a thing.

この問題は難しすぎて、初心者に解けるべくもない。

Kono mondai wa muzukashisugite, shoshinsha ni tokeru beku mo nai.

This problem is too difficult; a beginner cannot possibly solve it.

Not はずがないはずがない is used in everyday speech and expresses strong personal conviction that something is impossible, while べくもない is more objective and literary, often implying logical impossibility. For example, 彼が来るはずがない (There's no way he'll come) is a personal guess, but 彼が来るべくもない is more like 'It is unthinkable that he would come,' often with a reason.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

べくもない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat べくもない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using べくもない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

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🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

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べく

in order to; for the purpose of ~

べくして

as it is bound to (happen)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern べくもない mean? ▼

Cannot possibly be ~

What JLPT level is べくもない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use べくもない in a sentence? ▼

Attach べくもない (beku mo nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is べくもない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

べくもない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember べくもない long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.