すべきだった
subeki datta
In Japanese, "should have" is expressed as すべきだった (subeki datta).
The phrase すべきだった is used to express regret about a past action that was not taken. To add emphasis to your regret or to highlight the fact that the actual outcome was different from what was expected, you can add the particle に to the end of the phrase to form すべきだったのに (should have… but didn't).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense of the copula, だった, to indicate that the obligation or recommendation applied to the past. If you wish to express regret about something that was done but should not have been done (should not have), use the negative form すべきではなかった.
How do you pronounce it?
subeki datta
Did you know?
- While すべきだった expresses regret, using it toward a superior in a professional setting can sound incredibly blunt or even accusatory, as if you are lecturing them on their duties.
- The word べき within this phrase is actually a contraction of the classical Japanese word べし, which expresses a strong sense of duty or a natural necessity.
- Unlike English, where 'should have' can be used to make a guess about the past, すべきだった can only be used for obligation and regret, never for probability.
Examples in context
- 君はそうすべきだった。You should have done so.This example shows how to use すべきだった to say someone should have acted a certain way.Tatoeba #177778 by bunbuku, translation #16630 by CK
- もう少し注意すべきだった。I should have paid a little more attention.This example demonstrates using すべきだった to express a personal regret about not paying attention.Tatoeba #194076 by bunbuku, translation #31245 by CN
- そんな不当な提案は、拒否すべきだったのに。You should have refused such an unfair proposal.This example shows how adding のに to すべきだった emphasizes regret regarding an unfair proposal.Tatoeba #5307 by bunbuku, translation #2124 by CS
- 遅くなることを知っていて、もっと早く来るべきだった。I should have come earlier, knowing that it would be late.
- 寝るべきでした。I should have slept.
- もっと勉強したのに。I should have studied more.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
