该 (gāi) — (modal verb) should, ought to; used to indicate strong necessity or likelihood; to deserve (something positive or negative); to be someone's turn; to owe
Definition
该 (gāi) is a modal verb meaning 'should/ought to' and 'to deserve' — interchangeable with 应该 in most uses, but 该 sounds slightly more emphatic or colloquial. Negate with 不该, not 不用.
verb
(modal verb) shouldought toused to indicate strong necessity or likelihoodto deserve (something positive or negative)to be someone's turnto owe
Examples
- 该。Nǐ gāi qù shàng kè le.You should go to class now.
- 该。Tā gāi dé dào dà jiā de zūn zhòng.He deserves everyone's respect.
- 该。Jīn tiān gāi wǒ zuò fàn.Today it's my turn to cook.
Appears in
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