しかるべき

し

か

る

べ

き

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

pre-noun adjectival

proper; appropriate; due; suitable

usually written using kana alone

Pre-noun adjectival used to indicate something that is fitting, expected, or required in a given situation. Often used in formal or written contexts.

しかるべき手て続つづきを踏ふんでください。

Please follow the proper procedures.

彼かれはしかるべき時ときにしかるべき言こと葉ばをかけた。

He said the appropriate words at the appropriate time.

Kanji

然sort of thing, so, if so
可can, passable, approval

Related words

適てき切せつ
適切 is a na-adjective meaning 'appropriate' or 'suitable' in a broader sense, while しかるべき is a pre-noun adjectival that emphasizes what is due or expected in a specific context, often with a formal tone.
相応ふさわしい
相応しい is an i-adjective meaning 'befitting' or 'worthy', focusing on suitability to a person or status; しかるべき is more about procedural or situational appropriateness.

Written forms

然しかるべき
Kanji form; rarely used in modern writing.
然しかる可べき
Alternate kanji form with 可き; very rare.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese verb 然り (しかり, 'to be so') in its attributive form 然る (しかる) combined with the auxiliary べき (beki, 'should'), literally meaning 'should be so'.