debían
“debían” means “they had to” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
they had to, they were supposed to
Also: you all should have
📝 In Action
Ellos debían estar aquí a las ocho, pero llegaron tarde.
A2They were supposed to be here at eight, but they arrived late.
Cuando era niño, mis hermanos y yo debíamos ayudar en casa.
B1When I was a child, my siblings and I had to help out at home.
Ustedes debían entregar el informe ayer.
B1You all (formal) were meant to hand in the report yesterday.
they owed
Also: they were indebted to
📝 In Action
Los agricultores debían mucho dinero al banco.
B1The farmers owed a lot of money to the bank.
Ellos no debían nada a nadie, eran libres de deudas.
B2They didn't owe anything to anyone; they were debt-free.
they must have been, they probably were
Also: it was probably because of
📝 In Action
No contestaron el teléfono; debían de estar durmiendo.
B2They didn't answer the phone; they must have been sleeping.
Llegaron muy cansados. Su viaje debían de haber sido muy largo.
C1They arrived very tired. Their trip must have been very long.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "debían" in Spanish:
they owed→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: debían
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'debían' is used in the sentence: 'Los niños no debían hacer ruido después de las diez.'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word *debere*, which meant 'to owe' or 'to be under obligation'. The core idea of debt and duty has remained consistent throughout its history.
First recorded: Old Spanish (c. 10th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'debían' the same as 'tenían que'?
They are very similar! Both mean 'they had to' or 'they were obliged to.' 'Tenían que' (from 'tener que') is often used for specific, external necessities, while 'debían' (from 'deber') can feel slightly more like a moral duty or a soft expectation, though they are often interchangeable.
How do I know if 'debían' means 'owed money' or 'had to'?
Look at the words that follow it. If it’s followed by a dollar amount, a favor, or a noun like 'dinero,' it means 'to owe.' If it's followed by another verb (like 'estudiar' or 'venir'), it means 'had to' or 'should.' (Example: 'Debían $50' vs. 'Debían estudiar').