deber Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
deber — must
The imperative of deber (debe, debed...) is rarely used as it sounds redundant to 'command' an obligation.
deber Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
Technically used to command someone to 'owe' or 'be obliged', but in practice, it's very rare. You'll mostly see 'debe' (tú) in instructions.
Notes on deber in the Affirmative Imperative
Deber is regular in the imperative.
Example Sentences
Debe tú lo que es justo.
Owe what is just (very literary/rare).
tú
Deban ustedes lo mismo que nosotros.
Owe the same as us.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Trying to use the imperative to say 'You must'.
Correct: Use the indicative 'Debes estudiar'.
Why: The verb 'deber' itself expresses a command or obligation, so the imperative mood is usually unnecessary.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: debo
The present of deber is regular (debo, debes, debe...) and expresses current obligations or debts.
Preterite
yo: debí
The preterite of deber is regular (debí, debiste...) and focuses on a specific moment of obligation or a completed debt.
Imperfect
yo: debía
The imperfect of deber is regular (debía, debías...) and describes ongoing obligations or debts in the past.
Future
yo: deberé
The future of deber is regular (deberé, deberás...) and expresses future obligations or probability.
Conditional
yo: debería
The conditional of deber (debería, deberías...) is the go-to way to say 'should' in Spanish.
Present Subjunctive
yo: deba
The present subjunctive of deber (deba, debas...) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or necessity.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: debiera
The imperfect subjunctive of deber (debiera, debieras...) is used in 'if' clauses or for very polite advice.
Negative Imperative
yo: no debas
The negative imperative (no debas, no debáis...) is used to tell someone not to owe money or things.