本该 (běn gāi) — should have (done something), ought to have (with the nuance that it didn't happen)
Definition
Counterfactual 'should have / ought to have' — flags that the expected action didn't actually happen. Weaker in force than 必须, and unlike 应该 it always signals a missed or unrealized expectation.
adverb
should have (done something)ought to have (with the nuance that it didn't happen)
Examples
- 本该。Nǐ běn gāi zǎo yì diǎn gào sù wǒ.You should have told me earlier.
- 本该。Tā běn gāi lái cān jiā huì yì de.He should have come to the meeting.
- 本该。Wǒ men běn gāi gèng xiǎo xīn yì diǎn de.We should have been more careful.
Appears in
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