'Debemos' vs. 'Tenemos que'

'Debemos' is flexible. It can mean a strong command like 'we must' or gentler advice like 'we should'. The situation usually makes the meaning clear.

Expressing 'Should' vs. 'Must'

To sound less demanding and more like you're giving friendly advice, use 'deberíamos'. It's the equivalent of saying 'we should' in a very polite way.

Softer Advice

Extremely common. This is one of the main ways to talk about what 'we' are required or advised to do.

When you say *who* you owe something to, you usually use 'a' or words like 'le' and 'les'. For example: 'Le debemos dinero a Juan' (We owe money to Juan).

Who You Owe

Remember you can 'owe' things that aren't money, like an explanation ('una explicación'), an apology ('una disculpa'), or respect ('respeto').

Beyond Money

Very common when talking about money, debts, or favors.

Mixing up Obligation and Probability

To make it clear you're guessing, you can add 'de' after 'debemos' (e.g., 'debemos de estar cerca'). However, in everyday speech, many people leave the 'de' out, so you'll hear both.

Making a Guess with 'deber de'

A common way to make a logical guess or express probability.

Learn the full meaning of 'debemos' in Spanish. Understand its uses for obligation ('we must'), debt ('we owe'), and probability ('we must be'). Includes full conjugation, examples, and common mistakes.

debemos

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations