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Happened as expected; naturally; bound to happen
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-辞書形 + べくして + V-た形" is used to express that a result was inevitable because the necessary causes or efforts were present. It emphasizes that the outcome was bound to happen due to the circumstances. The dictionary form of the verb is used to indicate the expected or natural consequence, while the past tense of the same verb emphasizes the inevitability of the result. This pattern is often used to convey a sense of inevitability or natural consequence, and is commonly used in formal or written Japanese.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form | V-辞書形 + べくして + V-た形 | 勝つべくして勝った |
| Past tense | V-た形 | 勝った |
| Necessary condition | 必要な条件 | 練習していた |
Examples
彼は誰よりも練習していた。今回の優勝は、勝つべくして勝ったと言える。
Kare wa dare yori mo renshū shite ita. Konna kaisen wa, katsu beki shite katta to ieru.
He practiced more than anyone else. This victory is bound to happen because he practiced so much.
彼は誰よりも練習していた (He practiced more than anyone else) .今回の優勝は、勝つべくして勝ったと言える (This victory is bound to happen because he practiced so much)
安全対策を怠っていたのだから、この事故は起こるべくして起こったのだ。
Anzen taisaku o tei shite ita no da kara, kono jiko wa, okoru beki shite okotta no da.
Since they neglected safety measures, this accident was bound to happen.
安全対策を怠っていたのだから (Since they neglected safety measures) .この事故は起こるべくして起こったのだ (This accident was bound to happen)
その伝統ある店が倒産したのは、時代の流れで、潰れるべくして潰れたと言わざるを得ない。
Sono dentō aru mise ga taizai shita no wa, jidai no nagare de, taoreru beki shite taoreta to iwarezu o dekinai.
Since the shop had been around for a long time, it was bound to fail due to the changing times.
その伝統ある店が倒産したのは (Since the shop had been around for a long time) .時代の流れで、潰れるべくして潰れたと言わざるを得ない (It was bound to fail due to the changing times)
Context
This pattern is used to express inevitability or natural consequence. It is commonly used in formal or written Japanese, and is often used to convey a sense of certainty or inevitability. It can be used to describe a situation where the outcome was bound to happen due to the circumstances. It is not typically used in informal conversation.
Watch out
This pattern is used to express inevitability, so it should only be used with events that had a necessary cause or effort. Accidental events that had no cause should not be used with this pattern.
This pattern requires the same verb to be used in both the dictionary form and the past tense. Using two different verbs will result in incorrect usage.
～ばかりに is used to focus on the negative cause, while this pattern is used to express inevitability. The two patterns should not be confused with each other.
Strategy
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the same verb in both the dictionary form and the past tense. Also, make sure to use the pattern to express inevitability or natural consequence. Avoid using it with accidental events that had no cause.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-辞書形 + べくして + V-た形 used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼は誰よりも練習していた。今回の優勝は、勝つべくして勝ったと言える。
Pattern used: べくして
'勝つべくして勝った' indicates the victory was a natural and inevitable result of his effort.
安全対策を怠っていたのだから、この事故は起こるべくして起こったのだ。
Pattern used: べくして
Emphasizes that the accident was bound to happen due to the lack of safety measures.
その伝統ある店が倒産したのは、時代の流れで、潰れるべくして潰れたと言わざるを得ない。
Pattern used: べくして
Uses the pattern to show that the failure was an unavoidable consequence of the changing times.
Interactive
彼は誰よりも練習していた。今回の優勝は、勝つ______勝ったと言える。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.