6.5: Lesson 6 Grammar - Expressing "must" with 得 (děi)

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 Phrase]

Examples

• 我们得走了。
  Wǒmen děi zǒu le.
  We have to leave now.
  
• 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.
  
• 他是你弟弟，你得帮他。
  Tā shì nǐ dìdi, nǐ děi bāng tā.
  He is your younger brother. You must help him.
  
• 不好意思，你得马上离开。
  Bù hǎoyìsi, nǐ děi mǎshàng líkāi.
  Excuse me, but you have to leave here right now.
  
• 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.
  
• 你得先付钱再进去。
  Nǐ děi xiān fù qián zài jìnqù.
  You need to pay before you go in.
  
• 是你的错，你得道歉。
  Shì nǐ de cuò, nǐ děi dàoqiàn.
  It's your fault. You must apologize.
  
• 他没有经验，你得教教他。
  Tā méiyǒu jīngyàn, nǐ děi jiāojiao tā.
  He doesn't have experience. You must teach him.
  
• 明天去面试，你得穿得正式一点。
  Míngtiān qù miànshì, nǐ děi chuān de zhèngshì yīdiǎn.
  You must 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 really sick. You must go see a doctor.

[adapted from AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki, Creative Commons License BY-NC-SA 3.0]

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