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N4

はずだ

Bound to (be), Expected to (be), Should be (able)

今日きょうは雨あめが降ふるはずだ。

It's supposed to rain today.

Explanation

「はずだ」 has 2 uses

1Should, ought to be

Based on solid reasons or common sense, you're sure it's so: 「会議は2時に始まるはずです」 the meeting should start at two.

彼かれは借かりたペンを返かえす筈はずだ。

He is bound to return the pen he borrowed.

今日きょうは雨あめが降ふるはずだ。

It's supposed to rain today.

2No wonder

Suddenly understanding once you see the reason, which often follows: 「暑いはずだ。エアコンが消えている」 no wonder it's hot — the air conditioner is off.

道理どうりで寒さむいはずだ。窓まどが開あいていた。

No wonder it's cold — the window was open.

道理どうりで田中たなかさんは料理りょうりがうまいはずだ。お母かあさんがシェフなんだって。

No wonder Tanaka cooks so well — his mother is a chef.

Mixed up with

Building it: a な-adjective needs 「な」: 「親切なはずだ」; a noun needs 「の」: 「日曜日のはずだ」.

Degree of certainty: 「かもしれない」 is 'maybe'; 「だろう」 is a gut-feeling guess; 「はずだ」 is a conclusion backed by objective grounds, the strongest.

Examples

1Should, ought to be

  1. 新幹線しんかんせんで行いった方ほうが速はやいはずだ。

    It should be faster to go by shinkansen.

  2. 彼かれは魚さかなが嫌きらいだから寿司すしは嫌きらいなはずだ。

    He doesn't like fish, so he must dislike sushi.

2No wonder

  1. 道理どうりで寒さむいはずだ。窓まどが開あいていた。

    No wonder it's cold — the window was open.

  2. 道理どうりで田中たなかさんは料理りょうりがうまいはずだ。お母かあさんがシェフなんだって。

    No wonder Tanaka cooks so well — his mother is a chef.

Tested 6 times in past papers

N1 · Jul 2026, Q32N2 · Jul 2026, Q51N1 · Jul 2019, Q44N3 · Dec 2012, Q48N2 · Dec 2010, Q48N1 · Jul 2010, Q31