はずだ
JLPT Level: N4
Meanings
Bound to be
Expected to be
Should be (able)
Usage
Vる/Vない + はずだ
Vた + はずだ
いAdj + はずだ
なAdj + な + はずだ
Noun + の + はずだ
Explanation
はずだ expresses a speaker’s expectation or assumption based on information or evidence, not a definite fact. It conveys what you believe should be true given circumstances, often implying a degree of confidence. It is commonly used in everyday situations to talk about things that are likely, expected, or appropriate to happen. It can also reference expectations from the speaker’s knowledge, rather than a certainty. Past form はずだった refers to a past expectation that should have been the case.
雨が降るはずだ。
あめがふるはずだ。
It should rain.
彼は約束を守るはずだ。
かれはやくそくをまもるはずだ。
He should keep his promise.
この本は難しいはずだ。
このほんはむずかしいはずだ。
This book should be difficult.
明日までに終わるはずだ。
あしたまでにおわるはずだ。
It should be finished by tomorrow.
彼女は来ないはずだ。
かのじょはこないはずだ。
She isn’t supposed to come / She should not come.
昨夜のニュースは本当のはずだった。
さくやのニュースはほんとうのはずだった。
The news should have been true.