Translation guide
Expresses obligation, advisability, or expectation. Japanese uses various conditional, hortative, and duty-based patterns depending on the nuance.
Saying what is a good idea or the right thing to do.
The most common way to say 'should' for advice. Literally 'it's better to do ~'. Used with past tense (ta-form) of verbs.
早く寝たほうがいいよ。
You should go to bed early.
もっと野菜を食べたほうがいいです。
You should eat more vegetables.
Stronger 'should', implying moral duty or proper conduct. Often used in formal or written contexts. Attaches to dictionary form of verbs.
約束は守るべきだ。
You should keep your promises.
Soft suggestion, 'it would be good if...'. Less direct than 〜たほうがいい. Used with dictionary form or nai-form.
一度先生に相談するといいですよ。
You should talk to the teacher once.
Expressing that something is required or expected by rules, social norms, or personal responsibility.
Standard expression for 'must' or 'have to'. Implies no choice. Often shortened to 〜なきゃ in casual speech.
明日までにレポートを出さなければならない。
I have to submit the report by tomorrow.
もう行かなきゃ。
I should go now. (I have to go.)
Also used for moral obligation. Stronger sense of 'ought to'.
親を大切にするべきだ。
You should take good care of your parents.
Similar to 〜なければならない, but slightly more conversational. Often contracted to 〜ないと.
毎日練習しないといけない。
You have to practice every day.
Saying that something is likely to happen or should be the case based on logic or schedule.
Indicates expectation based on reason or information. 'It should be that...' / 'I expect that...'. Attaches to plain form.
彼はもう着いているはずだ。
He should have arrived by now.
この薬を飲めば治るはずです。
You should get better if you take this medicine.
Logical conclusion. 'So that means...' / 'It should follow that...'. Used when explaining a reason.
彼は日本に10年住んでいたから、日本語が上手なわけだ。
He lived in Japan for 10 years, so he should be good at Japanese.
Saying that something should have been done differently in the past.
Past form of べきだ. Expresses regret or criticism about something not done.
もっと勉強するべきだった。
I should have studied more.
あの時、本当のことを言うべきだった。
I should have told the truth at that time.
Expresses regret: 'If only I had...'. More emotional than べきだった.
傘を持ってくればよかった。
I should have brought an umbrella.
〜たほうがいい is a general recommendation ('it's better to...'), while 〜べきだ implies a stronger sense of moral duty or correctness. Use 〜たほうがいい for everyday advice, and 〜べきだ for rules or ethical statements.
早く寝たほうがいいよ。
You should go to bed early. (friendly advice)
嘘をつくべきではない。
You should not lie. (moral stance)
English 'should' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating 'should' as するべき every time can sound overly formal or judgmental. Choose the pattern based on the nuance you want to convey.