べ

also: ぺ · べえ

べ

Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

auxiliary

sentence-ending particle indicating speculation, volition, or invitation

Dialectal (Kantou/Touhoku) equivalent of だろう or う/よう. Used at the end of sentences to express conjecture, intention, or suggestion. Often carries a casual, folksy tone.

Usage patterns

〈動どう詞し〉べattached to a verb to express speculation, intention, or a casual invitation (dialectal)
もう行いくべ。
Let's get going now, shall we.
〈人ひと〉ぺattached to a person's name as a familiar, rustic nickname suffix
健けんぺ、遊あそびに行いこう。
Ken, let's go play.

Related words

だろう sense 1
だろう is the standard Japanese way to express speculation, while べ is a rustic Kantou/Touhoku dialect equivalent with a folksy tone.
ちゃんN5sense 2
ちゃん is the nationwide familiar name suffix, while べ (read ぺ in this use) is a dialectal, rustic-sounding variant expressing the same affection.
う sense 1
う is the standard volitional auxiliary for intention or invitation, whereas べ conveys the same meanings in a dialectal, casual register.

Written forms

ぺ
Dialectal variant of べ, common in some areas; also used as a familiar suffix.
べえ
Lengthened emphatic variant of べ, often heard in casual dialectal speech.

Etymology

The sentence-final particle is an eastern-dialect continuation of the classical auxiliary べし. The familiar name suffix is a separate colloquial use of uncertain origin.