How to Say "You Should" in Japanese

すべき

subeki

The English phrase "you should" is expressed in Japanese as すべき (subeki).

すべき is used to express a strong moral obligation, a duty or a logical necessity rather than a casual suggestion.

How does it change in a sentence?

In most declarative sentences, the phrase is completed with だ (da) to form すべきだ.

subeki

Using すべき to give advice to a superior or a teacher can be perceived as extremely condescending or even rude. While it translates to 'you should', it carries a heavy tone of moral judgement that implies the other person is failing a duty.
The stem of the word, す (su), is an ancient form of the verb 'to do'. This specific conjugation pattern is a remnant of classical Japanese grammar that has survived into the modern era.
When すべき is turned into a question, such as すべきか, it often expresses an internal struggle or a philosophical dilemma rather than asking for someone else's opinion.

禁煙すべきだ。
You should quit smoking.
This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すべき in the context of quitting smoking.
Tatoeba #8579904 by small_snow, translation #495668 by CK
君は謝罪すべきだ。
You should apologize.
This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すべき in the context of apologizing.
Tatoeba #177174 by bunbuku, translation #16023 by CK
現実を直視すべきだ。
You should face reality.
This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase すべき in the context of facing reality.
Tatoeba #174861 by small_snow, translation #239606 by CK
35 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota and Himari are discussing their homework deadline.

陽太 Yota

明日までだから、今日やるべきだね。
Ashita made dakara, kyou yaru beki da ne.
It's due tomorrow, so we should do it today.
陽葵 Himari

そうだね。今すぐ始めよう。
Sou da ne. Ima sugu hajimeyou.
You're right. Let's start right now.
陽太 Yota

陽葵は先に準備をすべきだよ。
Himari wa saki ni junbi o subeki da yo.
Himari, you should prepare first.
陽葵 Himari

わかった。教科書を出すね。
Wakatta. Kyoukasho o dasu ne.
Got it. I'll get my textbook out.

Sources

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