べくもない
No (doubt or hope), There is no way, It is impossible, Not a hope in hell
Structure
Exceptions:
［する］Verb + す(1) + べくもない
(1) する
Explanation
Similar to other grammar points that use べく, this pattern originates from the conjunctive form of the classical auxiliary verb べし, which means 'should' or 'must'. It connects to the dictionary form of a verb to express intent, obligation, or expectation. When paired with the adverbial particle も and the い-Adjective ない, it strongly conveys that something is ‘impossible to do’, or that there is ‘no way to do’ it.
- 素人が描いた絵とプロの画家の作品を比べるべくもないが、自分ではよくできたと思う。Of course, it's impossible to compare an amateur's drawing to a professional artist's work, but I think mine came out well.
- これだけの証拠があれば、彼が犯人であることは疑うべくもない。With this much evidence, there's no room for doubt that he is the culprit.
- 自分で子供を育てるまでは、子育ての苦労など想像するべくもなかった。Until I had a child of my own, I could never have imagined the struggles of parenting.
The べくもない pattern is frequently used with verbs related to perception or thought (like knowing, doubting, or imagining) to emphasize that a certain mental action is simply out of the question for the speaker.
Caution
When attaching this grammar to する, it is acceptable to connect べく to either the dictionary form (する) or its classical stem (す).
- あれだけ大きな赤字を出したのだから、会社が傾いているのは否定するべくもない現実だ。There is no denying the reality that the company is failing, given that they posted such a huge deficit.
- こんな準備不足では、計画が成功すべくもない。With such a lack of preparation, there is no way this plan can succeed.
Examples
我々のような小さな会社では、あの大企業に太刀打ちすべくもない。
For a small company like ours, it's impossible to compete with that major corporation.
これだけの証拠の前では、彼が責任を免れることは望むべくもない。
In the face of this much evidence, there is no hope that he can escape responsibility.
専門知識のない私には、この論文の内容を理解すべくもない。
For someone like me without specialized knowledge, it's impossible to understand the contents of this thesis.
あれほどの大災害の後では、街の早期復興は望むべくもない。
After a disaster of that magnitude, an early recovery for the town is out of the question.
小説：「敵の大軍に完全に包囲され、もはや生きて帰ることは望むべくもない。」
Novel: 'Completely surrounded by the enemy's massive army, there was no longer any hope of returning alive.'
素人の腕前では、プロの棋士に敵うべくもない。
With an amateur's skill level, it's impossible to be a match for a professional shogi player.
一度失われた信頼を取り戻すことは、もはや望むべくもない。
Once trust has been lost, there's no hope of getting it back.
この歴史的な大発見の重要性は、もはや疑うべくもありません。
The importance of this major historical discovery is beyond doubt.
宇宙の果てがどうなっているかなんて、現代の科学では知るべくもありません。
With our current science, it is impossible to know what the edge of the universe is like.
突然の悲報に言葉を失い、慰めるべくもなくただ立ちつくしていた。
I was at a loss for words at the sudden tragic news, and unable to offer any comfort, I just stood there frozen.
何十年も前の学生時代の記憶など、今となっては思い出すべくもない。
Now, memories from my school days decades ago are impossible to recall.
店員の態度について：「あの店に質の高いサービスを期待すべくもないよ。いつもあんな感じだもの。」
Regarding the staff's attitude: 'There's no point in expecting high-quality service from that shop. They're always like that.'