deber Present Subjunctive Conjugation
deber — must
The present subjunctive of deber (deba, debas...) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or necessity.
deber Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this when another verb triggers the subjunctive, such as 'Es necesario que...' or 'Dudo que...'.
Notes on deber in the Present Subjunctive
Deber is regular in the subjunctive, using the 'deb-' stem with -er/-ir subjunctive endings (-a, -as, -a...).
Example Sentences
Es importante que deba menos dinero.
It is important that I owe less money.
yo
No creo que debas preocuparte.
I don't think you should worry.
tú
Busco a alguien que no deba nada.
I'm looking for someone who doesn't owe anything.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'debe' (indicative) after 'Espero que'.
Correct: Espero que deba.
Why: Verbs of hope or desire always trigger the subjunctive mood.
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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.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: debiera
The imperfect subjunctive of deber (debiera, debieras...) is used in 'if' clauses or for very polite advice.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: debe
The imperative of deber (debe, debed...) is rarely used as it sounds redundant to 'command' an obligation.
Negative Imperative
yo: no debas
The negative imperative (no debas, no debáis...) is used to tell someone not to owe money or things.