はずだ

must be, should be

The phrase "はずだ" indicates an expectation or assumption based on reason or evidence, suggesting that something is logical or correct in a particular context.

N3

Meaning

must be, should be

The phrase "はずだ" indicates an expectation or assumption based on reason or evidence, suggesting that something is logical or correct in a particular context.

Formation

Noun + はずだ
Verb (dictionary form) + はずだ
い-adjective + はずだ
な-adjective + な + はずだ

Explanation

In Japanese, "はずだ" is used to express what one believes is correct or logical based on certain evidence or reasoning. It can be thought of as a way to assert that something should be a certain way due to preceding knowledge or common sense.

Nuances:

  • It carries a tone of assumption which implies that the speaker feels confident about the statement.
  • Used in both spoken and written language, though it might appear more frequently in spoken contexts.
  • It can also convey a sense of surprise if the outcome does not meet the assumption.