N4#grammar#obligation#intention#n4

Permission & Obligation Lesson 2

Mastering the expression of duty and intention using べき and つもり.

Context

Setting Expectations

In daily life, we often need to express what we 'should' do based on social norms, or what we 'intend' to do in the future. While 'must' (なければならない) covers absolute requirements, other structures help us express personal judgment and plans.

Imagine you are talking to a friend about your upcoming work week. You might say, 'I should finish this report by tomorrow' or 'I intend to start studying Japanese next month.' These expressions help you communicate your internal sense of duty and your personal roadmap.

Explanation

Grammar Structure

We use べき for moral or social obligation, and つもり for personal intention.

Verb (dictionary form)べき

べき indicates that something is the 'right thing to do' or a social expectation. It is used with the dictionary form of a verb. For する (to do), it can be するべき or すべき.

Verbつもり

つもり expresses a firm intention or plan. You use it with the dictionary form (positive intention) or the nai-form (intention not to do something).

Tip

Do not use べき to tell your superiors what they 'should' do, as it sounds like you are lecturing them. It is best used for general advice or self-reflection.

Examples

Seeing it in Action

Here are examples of how these patterns appear in natural conversation.

学生(がくせい)はもっと勉強する(べんきょうする)べきです。

Students should study more.

学生がくせいstudent勉強するべんきょうするto studyべきべきshould

来年(らいねん)、日本(にほん)へ行く(いく)つもりです。

I intend to go to Japan next year.

来年らいねんnext year日本にほんJapan行くいくto goつもりつもりintention

今日(きょう)は残業(ざんぎょう)しないつもりです。

I don't intend to work overtime today.

今日きょうtoday残業ざんぎょうovertimeしないしないnot doつもりつもりintention

約束は守る【つもり】です。

Hint: intention marker

I intend to keep my promise.

Usage

Nuance and Register

Understanding the difference between obligation and intention.

Obligation vs. Intention

〜べき

Duty/Advice (external/moral)

行くべきだ

〜つもり

Personal plan/Intention

行くつもりだ

Which sentence is more appropriate when expressing a personal plan?

明日、行くべきです。
✓ 明日、行くつもりです。

つもり is used for personal plans. べき implies a moral duty or obligation.

Deep dive

Advanced Nuances

A few extra details for the curious learner.

The 'Should have' nuance

If you use べき with the past tense (べきだった), it expresses regret: 'I should have done it' (but I didn't).

Summary

Lesson Recap

In this lesson, we covered べき for moral obligation and つもり for personal intentions. Remember that べき is for 'what is right' and つもり is for 'what you plan to do'.

べき

べきauxiliary

should / ought to

つもり

つもりauxiliary

intention / plan

勉強

べんきょうnoun

study

残業

ざんぎょうnoun

overtime work

約束

やくそくnoun

promise