なるべく

な

る

べ

く

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

adverb

as much as possible; if possible; whenever you can

usually written using kana alone

Used when asking or advising someone to do something to the extent possible, or when stating one's own intention to try. Softer than できるだけ.

なるべく早はやく来きてください

。

Please come as early as possible.

なるべく静しずかに歩あるいてください。

Please walk as quietly as you can.

Usage patterns

なるべく〈動どう詞し〉ようにするto try to do something as much as possible
なるべく毎まい日にち運うん動どうするようにしています。
I try to exercise every day as much as I can.
なるべく早はやく〈動どう詞し〉to do something as soon as possible
なるべく早はやく返へん事じをください。
Please reply as soon as possible.
なるべく〈動どう詞し〉ないでくださいplease avoid doing something as much as possible
なるべく残ざん業ぎょうしないでください。
Please avoid working overtime as much as possible.

Expressions

なるべくならif possible; preferably

Kanji

成turn into, become, get
可can, passable, approval

Related words

できるだけN4
できるだけ is more direct and can sound slightly more forceful or formal, while なるべく is softer and typical of everyday polite requests.
極きょく力りょくN1
極力 is a more formal, written-register word for trying one's utmost, whereas なるべく is casual and common in spoken requests.
なるたけN1
なるべく is the more common, neutral modern equivalent, while なるたけ sounds slightly old-fashioned or colloquial.
努つとめてN1
なるべく is a casual, common way to say 'if possible/as much as possible', whereas 努めて is more formal and implies active striving.

Don't confuse with

なるほどN4
なるほど (I see, indeed) and なるべく (as much as possible) both start with なる but have completely unrelated meanings, so learners sometimes mix them up.

Written forms

なるべくUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 成るべく and 成る可く are rare and mainly seen in older texts.
成なる可べくUsage<1%
Kanji form using 可く; very rare and literary.
成なるべく
Kanji form using 成る; uncommon in modern writing.

Etymology

Derived from the classical verb 成る (なる, 'to become') + the adverbial particle べく (from べし, expressing possibility or intention). Literally 'in a way that can be realized', it developed into the modern adverb meaning 'as much as possible'.