Expressing "must" with "dei"

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 得 回 家 了。Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ děi huí jiā le.It's getting late. I have to go home.
• 你 病 得 太 严重 了，得去 看 医生。Nǐ bìng de 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 得 走 了。Péngyǒumen dōu zài děng, wǒmen děi zǒu le.Our friends are waiting, we need to go.
• 这个 方法 不行，你 得 换 个 方法。 Zhè ge fāngfǎ bùxíng, nǐ děi huàn gè fāngfǎ .This way doesn't work. You need to find another way.
• 我 没带 钥匙 ，你 得 回来 帮我 开门。 Wǒ méi dài yàoshi, nǐ děi huí lái bāng wǒ kāi mén.I forgot my keys. You need to come back to help me open the door.

See also

• "Would like to" with xiang
• Wanting to do something with yao
• Auxiliary verb
• Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"

Sources and further reading

Videos

• Yoyo Chinese: "Have to and Don't have to"

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 164-5) →buy
• 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册） (p. 301)→buy