Expressing "must" with "dei"

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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 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,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 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 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 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

Sources and further reading

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