JLPT N1 Grammar

〜べくもない (beku mo nai)

〜べくもない (beku mo nai)
“Cannot possibly; there is no way to; impossible to”

This expression is used to state that a certain action or outcome is absolutely impossible given the current circumstances or lack of resources. It emphasizes a complete lack of possibility or means to achieve something.

  • Formality: Highly formal, literary, and stiff.
  • Context: Used primarily in written Japanese, such as formal reports, literature, or editorials. It is also found in very formal speeches. It is not used in daily conversation.
  • Nuance: It carries a strong sense of "it's no use even trying" or "the possibility is zero." It often implies that the reason for the impossibility is obvious or insurmountable. It is frequently used with verbs related to mental processes like 考える (to think), 知る (to know), or 望む (to hope/wish).

Format

  • Verb (Dictionary Form) + べくもない
    貧しい家庭に生まれた私にとって、大学進学など望むべくもなかった。 For me, born into a poor family, there was no way I could even hope to go to university.
  • する becomes するべくもない or すべくもない.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    For me at that time, it was impossible to even predict that technology would develop this much.
  • 、。
    Given the current situation with no evidence at all, it is impossible to identify the culprit.
  • 、。
    For an unknown new author, winning a literary prize is something they cannot even hope for.
  • 、。
    Now that the management situation has worsened, a drastic salary increase is impossible to expect.
  • 、。
    What he is thinking is something an ordinary person like me could not possibly know.
  • 、。
    With such a large gap, a turnaround is impossible to hope for.
  • 、。
    Even if we go into the match unprepared, there is no way we can achieve victory.
  • 、。
    As long as the government remains silent, there is no way for the citizens to know the truth.
  • 、。
    Considering his stubborn personality, it's impossible to even think of persuading him.
  • 、。
    In a state where the basics haven't been mastered, there is no way one can solve applied problems.

Similar Grammar

〜ようがない (yō ga nai)

“No way to; no means to”
連絡先を知らないので、連絡しようがない。 I don't know the contact info, so there's no way to contact them.

Difference:

  • More common in spoken and written Japanese.
  • Focuses on the lack of a method or means.
  • 〜べくもない is more formal and focuses on the absolute impossibility of the outcome/thought itself.

〜はずがない (hazu ga nai)

“Cannot be; it's impossible that...”
彼が嘘をつくはずがない。 It's impossible that he would lie.)

Difference:

  • Expresses a strong subjective judgment or expectation.
  • 〜べくもない is more objective/literary and often describes a lack of possibility due to external conditions.

〜っこない (kkonai)

“No way that...”
そんなの、できっこないよ。There's no way you can do that!

Difference:

  • Very casual and spoken.
  • 〜べくもない is the extreme opposite in formality (highly literary).

〜得ない (enai)

“Impossible to; cannot”
そんなことはあり得ない。That's impossible / that cannot happen.

Difference:

  • Refers to the objective possibility of something happening (can/cannot).
  • 〜べくもない is often used with psychological/mental verbs (hope, know, think).

〜どころではない (dokoro de wa nai)

“Far from; not the time for; out of the question”
忙しくて、旅行どころではない。I'm so busy, a trip is out of the question.

Difference:

  • Suggests that the current situation is too severe to even consider the secondary action.
  • 〜べくもない simply states that the action is impossible.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. ももにとって、など（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. のはに、の（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. をしてしまった、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. なをがことなど（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. のなに、たちは（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. のをすることは、のをもってしても（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. のは、（　　　）だった。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. ののに、は（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. を、は（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. にながある、のなど（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のは、（　　　）が。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. のには、のなど（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. では、を（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. ながを、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. にすぎないに、のをする（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

Who we are

Japanese at Work is built by gaijins, for gaijins.

Most schools and tutors follow the same path: memorise JLPT vocabulary and study grammar that rarely appears in real workplace writing. This works if your only goal is to pass the test.

But after that, things change. Once you start working in Japan, you’re expected to read reports, follow discussions, and speak clearly about industry news and decisions—at a professional level. If you can’t, you’re quietly left out of conversations and leadership opportunities. This is the gap between JLPT Japanese and real Japanese, and most learners are left to struggle with it alone.

Japanese at Work exists to close that gap. We share content that focuses on the Japanese you actually encounter at work—across business, management, IT, marketing, product, and recruitment.

Learn at your own pace, wherever you are, without distractions, progress bars and daily push notifications. For a limited time, all of our content is free.

Read more