Definition
该 (gāi) is a formal, written pronoun meaning 'this' or 'the said' — used in legal, administrative, or official contexts to refer back to a previously mentioned person or thing (e.g., 该公司 'the said company'). It is NOT the same as the verb 该 (gāi) 'should, ought to' (HSK 3); the pronoun is a separate, rarer sense at HSK 6.
pronoun
shouldought to
Easily confused
- 咳kélook-aliketo cough
- 改gǎisound-aliketo change, to alter
- 核hélook-alikepit, stone (of fruit)
- 盖gàisound-alike(noun) lid, cover, top
- 刻kèlook-alike(classifier) quarter (of an hour); a short moment
- 钙gàisound-alikecalcium
- 概gàisound-alike(bound form) general; approximate (used in 大概, 概况, etc.)
Examples
- 该。Nǐ gāi xiān wánchéng zuòyè zài kàn diànshì.You should finish your homework first before watching TV.
- ，该。Zhème wǎn le, tā gāi yǐjīng dào jiā le.It's so late; he should already be home.
- 该。Wǒmen gāi hùxiāng zūnzhòng.We should respect each other.
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