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Auxiliary verbsHSK 4

Expressing "must" with 得

得 (děi) is an auxiliary verb meaning 'must' or 'have to', expressing obligation or necessity. It is placed directly before a verb phrase, following the subject. Pay attention to pronunciation and context, as it differs from the structural particle 得 (de).

Structure

Subj. + 得 + Verb Phrase

Examples

  • 我们得走了。
    Wǒmen děi zǒu le.
    We have to leave now.
  • 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.
  • 你得先付钱再进去。
    Nǐ děi xiān fù qián zài jìnqù.
    You need to pay before you go in.
  • 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.
  • 是你的错，你得道歉。
    Shì nǐ de cuò, nǐ děi dàoqiàn.
    It's your fault. You must apologize.

Words that use this