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debíamos

deh-BEE-ah-mos/deˈβi.amos/

“debíamos” means “we should” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

we should, we had to

Also: we were supposed to
VerbA2regular er
Two small children standing next to a large, colorful pile of blocks and toys that have been spilled, both looking at the mess with expressions of shared responsibility.
past Participledebido
infinitivedeber
gerunddebiendo

📝 In Action

Debíamos estudiar para el examen de historia, pero vimos una película.

A2

We were supposed to study for the history exam, but we watched a movie.

Cuando éramos niños, debíamos ayudar en la casa todos los sábados.

B1

When we were children, we had to help around the house every Saturday.

Sentíamos que debíamos decir la verdad a nuestros padres.

B2

We felt that we should tell the truth to our parents.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • teníamos que (we had to (strong necessity))
  • necesitábamos (we needed)

Common Collocations

  • debíamos irnos – we had to leave
  • debíamos respetar – we should respect

we owed

Also: we were indebted
VerbA2regular er
Two friendly adults jointly presenting a small, heavy pouch of coins to a third adult who is ready to receive it, illustrating that they owed money.
past Participledebido
infinitivedeber
gerunddebiendo

📝 In Action

Hace un año, aún debíamos mil dólares al banco.

A2

A year ago, we still owed a thousand dollars to the bank.

Siempre debíamos dinero a nuestros padres después de las vacaciones.

B1

We always owed money to our parents after vacation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adeudábamos (we owed (formal))

Antonyms

  • pagábamos (we were paying)

Common Collocations

  • debíamos intereses – we owed interest

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

imperfect

él/ella/usteddebía
túdebías
vosotrosdebíais
yodebía
ellos/ellas/ustedesdebían
nosotrosdebíamos

present

él/ella/usteddebe
túdebes
vosotrosdebéis
yodebo
ellos/ellas/ustedesdeben
nosotrosdebemos

preterite

él/ella/usteddebió
túdebiste
vosotrosdebisteis
yodebí
ellos/ellas/ustedesdebieron
nosotrosdebimos

subjunctive

imperfect

él/ella/usteddebiera
túdebieras
vosotrosdebierais
yodebiera
ellos/ellas/ustedesdebieran
nosotrosdebiéramos

present

él/ella/usteddeba
túdebas
vosotrosdebáis
yodeba
ellos/ellas/ustedesdeban
nosotrosdebamos
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "debíamos" in Spanish:

we owed→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: debíamos

Question 1 of 2

Which English phrase best captures the meaning of 'Debíamos visitarte cada semana'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
deber(to owe, must) — Verb
el deber(duty, obligation) — Noun
la deuda(debt) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
teníamosvivíamos
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *debere*, meaning 'to owe' or 'to be bound to.' This connection between owing money and owing a duty has been present since ancient times.

First recorded: Around the 10th century (Old Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: devíamosFrench: devions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'debíamos' and 'debimos'?

'Debíamos' (imperfect) is used for duties or debts that were ongoing, habitual, or expected over a period of time in the past ('We always had to clean'). 'Debimos' (preterite) is used for a single, completed obligation in the past ('We had to clean yesterday').

Why does 'deber' mean both 'to owe' and 'must/should'?

These two meanings come from the same root idea of being 'bound' or 'obligated.' Whether you are bound by a moral duty or a financial contract, the root verb 'deber' covers both types of obligation.