GRAMMAR DETAIL
べくもない
Formally and emphatically states that circumstances make an action or understanding entirely impossible.
Examples
遠い時代を生きた彼の苦労は私には知るべくもない。
I cannot possibly know the hardships he endured living in such a distant era.
Words used
遠くで起きた出来事は、私には知るべくもない。
I cannot possibly know about an event that happened far away.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Follow a dictionary-form verb with
べくもないto state, in a literary style, that the circumstances leave no possibility of doing it. - Basic usage:
遠くで起きた出来事は、私には知るべくもない。means that the speaker has no way of knowing about events that occurred far away.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Distinction from べきではない
知るべくもないexpresses the impossibility of knowing.知るべきではないinstead makes a judgment that someone should not know.
- Distinction from lack of intention
知るつもりはないstates that there is no intention to find out.知るべくもないemphasizes circumstances preventing knowledge rather than intention.