まじき
🃏 Flashcard
まじき
majiki
Tap to reveal usage
should not; must not ~
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
majiki
Post ID
51260
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
should not; must not ~
📖 How to use it
An N1-level formal pattern meaning 'should not; must not', used for things prohibited by morality or social norms.
Attaches to
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb (e.g., するまじき, 言うまじき). For nouns and na-adjectives, the fixed phrase にあるまじき is used (e.g., 教師にあるまじき). The pattern is not productive; it is limited to a set of verbs such as ある, する, 言う, and a few others.
まじき is a formal, written expression that conveys a strong sense of moral prohibition. It is used to say that something is not permissible because it goes against what is right or expected from a person in a certain role. For example, 教師にあるまじき行為 means 'an act unbecoming of a teacher'. The pattern attaches to the dictionary form of verbs, but in practice it appears most often with ある and する, as in あるまじき and するまじき. The entire phrase often modifies a noun, as in 言うまじきこと (a thing that should not be said).
彼の言動は、教師にあるまじきものだった。
Kare no gendou wa, kyoushi ni aru majiki mono datta.
His behavior was unbecoming of a teacher.
それは、人として言うまじきことだ。
Sore wa, hito toshite iu majiki koto da.
That is something that should not be said as a human being.
大臣がそんな発言をするまじき立場にある。
Daijin ga sonna hatsugen o suru majiki tachiba ni aru.
A minister is in a position where such remarks are impermissible.
Not べからず (bekarazu)
Both mean 'must not', but べからず is a blunt prohibition (often seen on signs) and is used at the end of a sentence, while まじき is more about ethical unsuitability and is used before nouns, often in the fixed form あるまじき. Also, まじき is more literary and less common in speech.
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Highly formal and literary; used in written Japanese, speeches, or serious commentary, not in everyday conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
まじき
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat まじき three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using まじき. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
← Previous
までもない / までもなく
there's no need to; not necessary to ~
Next →
まくる
to do over and over again
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern まじき mean?
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Should not; must not ~
What JLPT level is まじき?
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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 まじき in a sentence?
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Attach まじき (majiki) 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 まじき formal or casual Japanese?
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まじき 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 まじき long-term?
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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.