Expressing "should" with "yinggai"

应该 (yīnggāi) translates to the English word, "should" and is an essential word to know in everyday speaking. Because of this, you should feel comfortable using 应该 (yīnggāi) quite frequently!

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。 Zài Zhōngguó, nǐ yīnggāi hē báijiǔ. In China, you should drink white liquor.
• 我 应该 给 你 多少 钱？Wǒ yīnggāi gěi nǐ duōshǎo qián? How much money should I give you?
• 感冒 的 时候 应该 喝 热水。 Gǎnmào de shíhou yīnggāi hē rèshuǐ. You should drink hot water when you have a cold.
• 明天 你 应该 八 点 半 来 公司。 Míngtiān nǐ yīnggāi bādiǎn bàn lái gōngsī. You should come to the office tomorrow at 8:30 pm.
• 他 太 累 了，应该 回家 休息。Tā tài lèi le, yīnggāi huíjiā xiūxi. He's too tired. He should go home to rest.

Making It Negative

Structure

Add the negative adverb 不 (bù) before 应该 (yīnggāi) to negate the structure.

Subj. + 不 + 应该 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 你 不 应该 告诉 他。 Nǐ bù yīnggāi gàosu tā. You should not tell him.
• 他 不 应该 喝 那么 多 酒。Tā bù yīnggāi hē nàme duō jiǔ. He should not drink so much.
• 你们 不 应该 拿 别人 的 东西。Nǐmen bù yīnggāi ná biérén de dōngxi. You should not take other people's stuff.
• 小孩 不 应该 喝 酒。Xiǎohái bù yīnggāi hē jiǔ. A kid shouldn't drink alcohol.
• 你们 不 应该 这么 晚 回家。Nǐmen bù yīnggāi zhème wǎn huíjiā. You shouldn't come home so late.

See Also

• "Must" modal "dei"
• "Would like to" with xiang
• Wanting to do something with yao

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 160-1) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 185-7) →buy