Translation guide
Expresses that something is not advisable, not morally right, or not expected. In Japanese, this is usually expressed through negative obligation constructions, negative expectations, or soft prohibitions.
The speaker believes it is wrong or inappropriate to do something based on ethics, rules, or social norms.
The most direct and common way to say 'ought not to' or 'should not'. It expresses a strong moral or logical obligation not to do something. Can be shortened to べきじゃない in casual speech.
人を傷つけるようなことを言うべきではない。
You ought not to say things that hurt people.
約束を破るべきじゃないよ。
You ought not to break promises.
A general prohibition pattern meaning 'must not' or 'ought not to'. It is slightly stronger and more direct than べきではない, often used in rules or when giving strong advice.
ここでタバコを吸ってはいけません。
You ought not to smoke here.
そんなことをしてはいけないよ。
You ought not to do such a thing.
Used to express a general moral or social principle that something is not right or not the way things should be. It carries a tone of admonishment based on common sense or societal norms.
弱い者をいじめるものではない。
One ought not to bully the weak.
人の悪口を言うものじゃない。
You ought not to speak ill of others.
The speaker thinks it is not a good idea or not beneficial to do something, often for practical reasons.
A common and natural way to say 'had better not' or 'ought not to' when giving advice. It implies that not doing something is the better choice.
そんなに遅くまで起きていないほうがいいよ。
You ought not to stay up so late.
無理をしないほうがいいです。
You ought not to overdo it.
Also used for practical advice, though it can sound a bit stronger or more formal than ないほうがいい.
そんなに心配するべきではないよ。
You ought not to worry so much.
The speaker believes something is unlikely to happen or not the case, similar to 'should not' in a logical deduction sense.
Expresses strong conviction that something cannot be or is impossible. It translates to 'ought not to' in the sense of 'it cannot be that...'.
彼がそんなことをするはずがない。
He ought not to do such a thing. (It's impossible that he would.)
そんな簡単な問題を間違えるはずがない。
You ought not to get such an easy question wrong. (It's unlikely.)
Similar to はずがない, but slightly more emphatic and logical. It means 'there is no reason that...' and is used to deny a possibility.
彼女が嘘をつくわけがない。
She ought not to lie. (There's no way she would lie.)
べきではない expresses a moral or logical obligation not to do something. てはいけない is a stronger prohibition, often used in rules. ないほうがいい is softer advice based on what is better or more beneficial. Choose based on the strength and nature of the 'ought not to'.
嘘をつくべきではない。
You ought not to lie. (moral)
ここで走ってはいけない。
You must not run here. (rule)
食べ過ぎないほうがいい。
You had better not eat too much. (advice)
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'ought not to'. Avoid trying to translate it word-for-word. Instead, use the patterns above depending on the intended meaning.