Expressing "should" with "yinggai"
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
应该 (yīnggāi) translates to the English word "should," and is an essential word to know for your conversational Chinese. You should definitely get comfortable using 应该 (yīnggāi) right away!
Contents
Basic Usage
Structure
The auxiliary verb 应该 (yīnggāi) is the most common way to express "should" in Chinese. The structure is:
Subj. + 应该 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 在 中国， 你 应该 喝 白酒。 In China, you should drink baijiu.
- 我 应该 给 你 多少 钱？How much money should I give you?
- 感冒 的 时候 应该 喝 热水。 You should drink hot water when you have a cold.
- 明天 你 应该 八 点 半 来 公司。 You should come to the office tomorrow at 8:30.
- 他 太 累 了，应该 回家 休息。He's too tired. He should go home and rest.
Negate 应该 (yīnggāi) with 不 (bù)
Structure
Add the negative adverb 不 (bù) before 应该 (yīnggāi) to negate it.
Subj. + 不 + 应该 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 你 不 应该 告诉 他。 You should not tell him.
- 他 不 应该 打 人。He should not hit people.
- 我们 不 应该 迟到。We shouldn't be late.
- 你们 不 应该 笑 她。You shouldn't laugh at her.
- 你们 不 应该 拿 别人 的 东西。You should not take other people's stuff.
