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Strongly forbidden with 〜べからず

Grammar: Prohibition » 〜べからず

An old-fashioned way to strongly forbid an action is to add べからず after a verb. This form may be seen on signs, although it is more common to see 禁止(きんし).

Usage

When modifying a noun, べからざる is used.

Further Reading

Related Grammar

  • Should not do with 〜てはいけない
    • Used to discourage (rather than prohibit) an action.
  • Must not do with 〜てはだめだ
    • Used to prohibit (rather than simply discourage) an action.

Examples

Doing as you please is strictly forbidden with 〜べからず

Manga panel from くノ一ツバキの胸の内 showing example of Strongly forbidden with 〜べからず.
くノ一ツバキの胸の内 » Volume 1 » Page 106

Sazanka sneaks out of class, leaving the teacher to send Asagao to bring her back. As Asagao chases Sazanka across the rooftops near the upper grade classroom, Tsubaki spots them. She meets them up on the roof and recites the school’s first rule.

ツバキ:
「ひとつ。無断(むだん)で勝手(かって)な行動(こうどう)をとるべからず。」
“One: Doing as you please without permission is strictly forbidden.”