JLPT N1 grammar

〜べくもないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Can't A; can't expect to A; cannot possibly A

How to form it

  • verb (dictionary form)べくもない（する → すべくもない）

How it is used

Formal: 'A is out of the question, there is no way to A', usually with 「望む」, 「知る」, 「比べる」 or 「疑う」, because the gap is too great or the means are lacking. Close to 「〜ようがない」, but more written.

Examples

  1. 彼女が犯人だということは、 疑うべくもない。

    There is no doubt whatsoever that she is the culprit.

  2. 小さな町の店では、都会のような品ぞろえは望むべくもない。

    In a small-town shop, a big-city range of goods is too much to hope for.

  3. 当時の私には、親の苦労など知るべくもなかった。

    At the time, I had no way of knowing what my parents went through.