まじき | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + に + あるまじき + [noun] [verb (dictionary form)] + まじき + [noun]

Description

まじき means "that should not be": it condemns an act as improper for the person who did it. It is a literary form that always comes before a noun, and almost always as あるまじき after a role marked with に: "unbecoming of a teacher", "unworthy of a doctor".

。

That is a remark unbecoming of a teacher.

。

He behaved in a way unworthy of a doctor.

。

He was criticised for conduct unbecoming of a politician.

The role before に is the standard the act falls short of, and the noun after まじき names the act: a remark, an attitude, conduct, a mistake.

After other verbs

まじき can follow the dictionary form of other verbs too, giving "that must not be done". Outside ゆるす許すまじき, "unforgivable", these are rare and sound archaic.

。

That is an unforgivable crime.

At the end of a sentence the older form まじ survives in slogans and headlines: げんばく原爆をゆるす許すまじ, "never allow the atomic bomb".

Register

まじき belongs to news reports, editorials and formal criticism. In speech, きごう〜としてゆるされない許されない or きごう〜らしくない says the same thing.

。

That remark is unacceptable from a teacher.

。

It was a mistake unworthy of a professional.

Examples

、。

He was severely punished for conduct unbecoming of a teacher.

。

That is a crime that is unforgivable as a human being.

。

A remark unbecoming of a politician has become an issue.

、。

The patients felt anger at the attitude unworthy of a doctor.

。

It was a mistake unworthy of a professional player.

。

I regret having taken actions unbecoming of a parent.

。

His words and actions are unbecoming of a working member of society.

。

Misconduct unworthy of a public servant was uncovered.

、。

The people were disappointed by behavior unbecoming of a leader.

、。

Betraying trust is something unworthy of a friend.

。

Misconduct unbecoming of a police officer has come to light.

。

His license was revoked for an ethical violation unbecoming of a lawyer.

References

まじきBunpro