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."

Subj. + 得 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 我们 得 走 了 。Wǒmen děi zǒu le.We have to leave.
• 时间 不 早 了，我 得 回家 了。Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ děi huíjiā le.It's getting late. I have to go home.
• 在 学校 就 得 听 老师 的 话 。Zài xuéxiào jiù děi tīng lǎoshī de huà.You have to listen to the teacher at school.
• 这个 方法 不行，你 得 想 个 别的 方法。 Zhège fāngfǎ bùxíng, nǐ děi gè biéde fāngfǎ .This way doesn't work. You need to think of another way.
• 是 你 的 错 ，你 得 道歉 。Shì nǐ de cuò, nǐ děi dàoqiàn.We have to leave.
• 他 没有 经验 ，你 得 教教 他 。Tā méiyǒu jīngyàn, nǐ děi jiāo jiāo tā.He doesn't have experience. You have to teach him.
• 不 好意思 ，你 得 马上 离开 。Bù hǎoyìsi, nǐ děi mǎshàng líkāi.Sorry, you have to get out of here right now.
• 我 的 钥匙 丢 了，得 找 人 开 锁 。Wǒ de yàoshi diū le, děi zhǎo rén kāi suǒ.I lost my keys. I have to find someone to pick the lock.
• 明天 去 面试 ，你 得 穿 得 正式 一点 。Míngtiān qù miànshì, nǐ děi chuān de zhèngshì yīdiǎn.You have to wear something more formal for tomorrow's job interview.
• 你 病 得 太 厉害 了，得去 看 医生。Nǐ bìng de tài lìhai le, děi qù kàn yīshēng.You are badly ill. You need to go see a doctor.

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