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〜べく

in order to (formal)

Verb dictionary form + べく (する → すべく or するべく)

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べく is a formal, written "in order to": 夢をかなえるべく、上京した, "I moved to Tokyo to pursue my dream".

It follows the dictionary form. With する, the classical すべく is common (解決すべく), though するべく is also used. The second half is a deliberate action the subject takes, so it's typical of news reports and formal statements: 原因を調べるべく、調査団が派遣された.

It's the adverbial form of べき (N3, "should"), so the feeling is "as one should, in order to". Don't mix them up: 行くべき人 is "a person who should go", but 行くべく is "in order to go".

The negative 〜べくもない (N1) means "can't possibly".

Examples

  • 夢ゆめをかなえるべく、上京じょうきょうした。

    I moved to Tokyo to pursue my dream.

  • 問題もんだいを解決かいけつすべく、全力ぜんりょくを尽つくします。

    We'll do everything we can to resolve the problem.

  • 家族かぞくを養やしなうべく、懸命けんめいに働はたらいた。

    He worked hard to support his family.

  • 新記録しんきろくを出だすべく、毎日練習まいにちれんしゅうしている。

    She practises every day to set a new record.

  • 事故じこの原因げんいんを調しらべるべく、調査団ちょうさだんが派遣はけんされた。

    An investigation team was sent to find the cause of the accident.

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