Expressing “must" with "feidei"

非得 (fēiděi) can be translated as "must" or "have to". Usually it appears in the grammar structure 非得...不可/不行/不成, which expresses something is supposed to be a certain way and not change, or that something will certainly happen.

Many of you are probably familiar with the grammar structure 非...不可, which is the simplified form of this structure.

Structure

In this grammar structure, we are saying that the action must be done. Usually there is a phrase to set up the context, and then what must be done.

Statement, + 非得 + Action + 不可/不行/不成

Examples

• 现在 是 紧急 情况，医生 非得 马上 开 刀 不可。This is an emergency. The doctor must start surgery right away.
• 要是 你 想要 当作 很好 的 管理员，你 非得 耐心 不成！If you want to be considered a good manager, you have to be patient!
• 在 中国 传统 的 孝敬 文化 上，子女 非得 服从 长辈 不可。On the topic of China's cultural respect to parents, children must obey their elders.

Use on its own

非得 can also be used in short statements on its own.

Example

• 时间 到 了，我 非得 走。When the time comes, I have to go.

Sources and further readings

Books

• Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (p.82)→buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 124) →buy
• Home With Kids1 (家有儿女1)(p.33) →buy

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