べからず
べからず
expression
must not; should not; do not
1.
must not; should not; do not
A classical Japanese negative imperative meaning 'must not' or 'should not.' Attaches to the dictionary form of verbs. Used today primarily in signs, rules, proverbs, and set phrases.
芝生に入るべからず。
Keep off the grass.
初心忘るべからず。
Never forget the beginner's spirit.
人を見かけで判断するべからず。
One must not judge people by their appearance.
A classical Japanese construction combining べき (should) with the classical negative ず. Though archaic in normal conversation, it remains alive in modern Japanese through signs, rules, and proverbs.
GRAMMAR:
Attaches to the dictionary form (終止形) of verbs:
- 入るべからず (must not enter)
- 忘るべからず (must not forget — uses the classical 終止形 of 忘れる)
- するべからず (must not do)
COMMON SET PHRASES:
- 初心忘るべからず: never forget the beginner's spirit (famous saying attributed to Zeami)
- 侮るべからず: not to be underestimated
- 関係者以外立ち入るべからず: no entry except for authorized personnel
USAGE:
In modern Japanese, べからず appears mainly in:
- Prohibition signs and notices
- Proverbs and maxims
- Formal rules and regulations
- Literary or deliberately archaic writing
SIMILAR WORDS:
- てはいけない: must not — the standard modern equivalent
- てはならない: must not — more formal modern equivalent
- 禁止: prohibited — a noun used on signs