Difference between revisions of "Expressing "must" with "dei""

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Revision as of 03:21, 30 June 2015

Learning how to use 得 to mean "must" must be done by those wishing to master Chinese!

Structure

Normally when you see 得 it's a particle and is pronounced "de". However, it can also be an auxiliary verb. In this case it's pronounced děi and means "must".

Subject + 得 + Verb + Object

Examples

  • 时间 不早了,我 回 家 了。Shíjiān bù zǎole, wǒ děi huí jiā le.It's getting late. I have to go home.
  • 你 病得 太严重了,去看医生。Nǐ bìng dé tài yánzhòng le,děi qù kàn yīshēng.You are badly ill. You need to go see a doctor.
  • 朋友们 都 在 等,我们 走了。Péngyǒumen dōu zài děng, wǒmen děi zǒuliǎo.Our friends are waiting, we need to go.

See also

Sources and further reading

Videos

Books