はずだ・
はずだ is "should" in the sense of "I expect so": you haven't checked, but a schedule, a promise or something you know tells you. はずがない is the same reasoning ruling something out: "it can't be".
you expect it
According to the schedule, the train should arrive at ten.
you rule it out
This bag is empty, so it can't be heavy.
How to form it
Plain form + はずだ／はずがない
A noun takes の and a な-adjective takes な: 休みのはずだ, 静かなはずだ. Polite: はずです, はずがありません.
| You see | In English |
|---|---|
| 来るはずだ | should be coming |
| 来ないはずだ | shouldn't be coming |
| 来るはずがない | can't be coming |
| 来たはずだ | should have come by now |
| 来るはずだった | was supposed to come |
Sure, but you haven't checked
The shipping notice came yesterday, so the package should arrive tomorrow.
I put the key on the desk, so it should be there.
It's Sunday today, so that shop shouldn't be open.
It is also the honest answer when you believe something but can't promise it.
Is Tanaka in?
No, he should be off today.
Not the "should" of advice
English "should" also gives advice. はずだ doesn't: it says what you expect to be true.
You practice every day, so you should get better.
What you expect to happen.
You should practice every day.
Advice. That is たほうがいい.
はずがない: it can't be
From what you know, there is no way.
Tanaka shouldn't be coming today.
As far as you know, he isn't coming.
There is no way Tanaka is coming today.
You rule it out. Much stronger.
We have never met, so there is no way he knows my face.
When you are told something you can't believe, the set reply is そんなはずはない, "that can't be right". はずはない means the same as はずがない.
There doesn't seem to be a reservation.
That can't be right. I booked by phone yesterday.
When things aren't as they should be
People often say はず because what they expected isn't what they see. はずなのに is "it should, and yet…". はずだった is "it was supposed to", usually when it didn't turn out that way.
He should be at the station by now, but I still haven't heard from him.
The meeting was supposed to start at three, but it was postponed because of an equipment problem.
About yourself
For something you did, たはずだ is "I'm sure I did", said when the proof is missing. It isn't for your own plans: a plan is decided, not expected.
That's strange. I'm sure I put it in my bag.
Sounds odd: 私は
I should be going to Japan next year.
It sounds as if someone else decides for you. Your own plan is 行くつもりです or 行く予定です.
Close neighbours
でしょう・だろうN5
"Probably": a guess. はずだ is surer: you have a schedule, a promise or a fact to go on.
Tomorrow it will probably start raining in the afternoon.
に違いないN3
"Must be": you are convinced, usually by a clue in front of you.
There is warm tea on the desk. Someone must have been here until just a moment ago.
わけがないN3
Much the same as はずがない, often with more feeling: the idea is unthinkable to you.
There is no way he would forget his promise.
ばよかったN4
The "should have" of regret: you didn't, and wish you had.
Oh, rain. I should have brought an umbrella.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
山田さんは
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
鍵は
Choose an answer to see why.
3Which one is right?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
No wonder: 寒いはずだ
When you find the reason for something you had noticed, はずだ is "no wonder".
Oh, the window is open. No wonder it's cold.
言ったはずです
About what the other person was told or ought to know, it can sound like blame.
I'm sure I told you yesterday.
More sentences
I checked at reception, so the reservation should be in the system.
According to the instructions, pressing this button should return you to the previous screen.
Tanaka said he sent it yesterday, so the email should have arrived by now.
This room is soundproof, so it should be quiet.
Yesterday was a public holiday, so the bank would have been closed.
Tomorrow is the shop's regular day off, so it can't be open.
His name tag says "trainee". He can't be the person in charge.
The application form only went out yesterday, so there is no way it will arrive today.