はず
hazu
In Japanese, 'should be' is expressed using はず (hazu).
はず is used to express that something is expected to happen or be true based on logic or a reason.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun-like form はず is typically followed by the copula だ or です to complete the predicate. To make the expression polite, attach です to the end of the phrase. When modifying a noun directly, use the particle の instead of だ or です. The past tense はずだった is used to express that something was expected to happen, but it did not actually happen. Replacing だ with がない creates the strong negative meaning 'cannot be' or 'there is no way that…'. Additionally, the phrase can function as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, such as はずだった人.
How do you pronounce it?
hazu
Did you know?
- Using はず to describe your own actions can sometimes sound overconfident or arrogant, as if you are asserting your own perfection based on logic.
- Some linguists believe はず comes from 羽 meaning 'feather' and 頭 meaning 'tip' or 'head'.
- While はず expresses a logical expectation, Japanese has other words for 'should' that imply a moral obligation or social duty, which are not interchangeable with はず.
Examples in context
- 彼はすぐ戻るはずです。He should be back any minute.This sentence is useful for saying someone is expected to return shortly using はず.Tatoeba #113406 by bunbuku, translation #290267 by CK
- トムは家にいるはずよ。Tom should be at home.This sentence is useful for expressing the expectation that Tom is at home using はず.Tatoeba #11213997 by small_snow, translation #5487806 by Mar1L
- バスはすぐ来るはずです。The bus should be coming soon.This sentence is useful for expressing the expectation that a bus is arriving soon using はず.Tatoeba #198131 by small_snow, translation #35321 by CK
- この問題は早く解決すべきです。This issue should be resolved quickly.
- 学生は勉強に真剣に取り組むべきです。Students should be serious about their studies.
- 外国人は日本の文化を尊重すべきだ。Foreigners should respect Japanese culture.
- 明日は早く起きた方がいいよ。You should wake up early tomorrow.
- この映画は絶対に見た方がいいと思う。I think you should definitely watch this movie.
- 早く家に帰るべきじゃない？Shouldn't you go home early?
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are waiting for a delivery that was supposed to arrive today.
- 蓮 Ren荷物は今日届くはずだよ。Nimotsu wa kyō todoku hazu da yo.The package should arrive today.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、まだ来ていないよ。Demo, mada kite inai yo.But it hasn't come yet.
- 蓮 Renもうすぐ来るはずだから待とう。Mōsugu kuru hazu dakara matō.It should be here soon, so let's wait.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった。もう少し待ってみるね。Wakatta. Mō sukoshi matte miru ne.Okay. I'll wait a bit longer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries はず, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
