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なければならない・べき: the difference

Meaning

Must do, Have to do

Past papers

Tested 2 times in past papers

Example

先生せんせいの話はなしを聞きかなければならないよ。

You have to listen to the teacher.

Meaning

Should, Ought to

Past papers

Tested once in past papers

Example

税金ぜいきんを払はらうべきです。

You should pay taxes.

How to tell them apart

「~なければならない」 is for rules, laws or real necessity: 「パスポートを更新しなければならない」.

「~べきだ」 is the speaker's strong judgment of what is right or the best thing to do. It is stronger than 「~ほうがいい」, which is just friendly advice.

Don't tell a boss or customer 「~すべきです」; it sounds arrogant.

All about なければならない ›All about べき ›