Expressing "should" with "yinggai"
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
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!
Contents
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。 In China, you should drink white liquor.
- 我 应该 给 你 多少 钱? How much should I give you?
- 感冒 的 时候 应该 多 喝 热水 。 You should drink more hot water when you have a cold.
- 天气 越来越 冷 了,你 应该 多 穿 一点。 It's getting colder and colder.You should wear more clothes.
- 他 太 累 了, 应该 回家 休息。 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 。 You should not tell him.
- 他 不 应该 吃 那么 多 。 He should not eat so much.
- 我们 不 应该 这样 做 。 We should not do it this way.
- 在 这里 , 你 不 应该 说 英文 。 Here, you should not speak English.
- 你 不 应该 用 父母 的 钱 。 You should not use your parent's money.
- 我 不 应该 去 那里 。 I should not go there.
- 好 女孩 不 应该 喝 酒 。 A good girl shouldn't drink alcohol.
- 你 不 应该 给 你 的 狗 巧克力 。 You should not give your dog chocolate.
- 你 不 应该 这么 早 走 。 You shouldn't leave so early.
- 你 不 应该 吃 冰淇淋 。 You shouldn't eat ice cream.
See Also
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