はず

• Reading: はず
• Romaji: hazu
• Pronunciation: /ha.zɯ/

Meaning

Should be; supposed to be; expected to be. Expresses a logical expectation or certainty.

An auxiliary noun placed after the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or noun＋の to express that something is expected based on logic or evidence. ～はずです conveys 'it should be the case that ~'. The negative ～はずがない means 'there is no way that ~'. Essential for expressing reasoned expectations at N4 level.

Examples

1. 田中さんはもう来ているはずです。 Mr. Tanaka should be here already.
2. この薬を飲めば熱が下がるはずです。 If you take this medicine, your fever should go down.
3. 届いたはずの荷物がまだ届いていません。 The package that was supposed to have arrived still hasn't come.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, reasoning, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Originally written 筈, referring to the notch at the end of an arrow where the bowstring fits. Since the notch is precisely where the string should go, the meaning extended to 'where things should naturally be' — hence 'expected' or 'supposed to.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal