Meaning
「べくして」 expresses that, given the expectation that something was bound to happen, the outcome was only natural. It conveys inevitability — because there were sufficient conditions or reasons, the result was destined.
Key feature: The same verb appears before and after 「べくして」, forming the fixed pattern 「V べくして V た」, e.g., 「起こるべくして起こった」 (it happened as it was meant to happen).
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) | べくして + same verb in た-form |
Examples
-
起こるべくして起こった。
It happened as it was destined to happen. -
この車のブレーキの問題は、以前から何度も指摘されていた。この事故は起こるべくして起こったといえる。
The brake problem with this car had been pointed out many times before. This accident can be said to have been inevitable. -
うちの高校の野球チームは、週末も夏休みも休まずに練習をしてきた。この試合に勝つべくして勝ったのだ。
Our high school baseball team practiced without rest on weekends and summer vacation. Winning this match was only natural. -
ふたりは出会うべくして出会った。
The two were destined to meet.
Summary
- 「V べくして V た」 expresses that a result was inevitable and destined
- The same verb must appear before and after: 起こるべくして起こった, 勝つべくして勝った
- Conveys the nuance of "it was only natural because there were sufficient reasons/conditions"