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〜べくもない

can't possibly, there's no way to

Verb dictionary form + べくもない

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べくもない means something is completely out of the question: プロの選手とは比べるべくもない, "there's no comparison with a professional player".

The verb is usually one of comparing, knowing, hoping, doubting or winning: 比べる, 知る, 望む, 疑う, 勝つ. 疑うべくもない is positive in effect: "beyond doubt".

It's formal and literary. It comes from べく (N1, "in order to"), the adverbial form of べき, plus もない. So the sense is "there's not even a way to".

Don't confuse it with べきではない, "shouldn't". べくもない is about impossibility, not advice.

Examples

  • プロの選手せんしゅとは比くらべるべくもない。

    There's no comparison with a professional player.

  • 素人しろうとの私わたしには、その理由りゆうは知しるべくもない。

    As an amateur, I couldn't possibly know the reason.

  • 今いまの収入しゅうにゅうでは、家いえなど望のぞむべくもない。

    On my current income, a house is out of the question.

  • 彼かれの実力じつりょくは疑うたがうべくもない。

    His ability is beyond doubt.

  • 相手あいてはプロだ。私わたしたちが勝かつべくもない。

    They're professionals. There's no way we can win.

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