debería
/deh-beh-REE-ah/
should
Visualizing gentle advice: a suggestion leading toward a positive outcome.
debería(Verb)
📝 In Action
Deberías llamar a tu abuela más a menudo.
B1You should call your grandmother more often.
Creo que debería estudiar más para el examen.
B1I think I should study more for the exam.
No deberíamos comer tanto chocolate.
B1We shouldn't eat so much chocolate.
¿Debería aceptar el trabajo?
B2Should I accept the job?
💡 Grammar Points
Giving Gentle Advice
Debería is a softer, more polite way to give advice than debes (you must/you have to). Think of it as suggesting something instead of ordering it.
Always Followed by a Base Verb
After debería (or any form of deber), the next verb is always in its basic, unchanged form, called the infinitive. For example, Deberías *llamar*, not Deberías llamas.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Debería' vs. 'Debo'
Mistake: "Cuando hablo con un amigo, le digo: `Debes estudiar más`."
Correction: It's better to say: `Deberías estudiar más`. The word `debes` sounds like a strong obligation ('you must'), while `deberías` is a friendly suggestion ('you should').
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Regret About the Past
To say what someone 'should have' done, combine debería with haber and the past form of a verb. For example, Debería haber estudiado más means 'I should have studied more.'
Illustrating probability: the item arriving exactly when it is expected to.
debería(Verb)
📝 In Action
El paquete debería llegar mañana.
B2The package should arrive tomorrow.
Juan no está aquí, debería de estar en la oficina.
B2Juan isn't here, he must be (is probably) at the office.
Ya son las ocho, el restaurante debería estar abierto.
B2It's already eight o'clock, the restaurant should be open.
💡 Grammar Points
Making a Good Guess
You can use debería to talk about what you expect to happen or what is probably true. It shows you're not 100% certain, but it's a strong, logical guess.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Guessing vs. Stating a Fact
Mistake: "El tren llega a las cinco. (When you're not sure if that's the exact time)."
Correction: If you're making an educated guess based on the schedule, it's more natural to say: `El tren debería llegar a las cinco.` This means 'The train should arrive at five,' acknowledging it might be a little late or early.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding 'de'
When using debería to make a guess, you'll often hear people add the word de before the next verb, like Debería de estar en casa. It means the same thing and is very common in speech.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: debería
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'debería' to give friendly advice?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'debería' and 'deberías'?
They are both forms of the same verb, 'deber'. 'Debería' is used for 'I' (yo), 'he/she' (él/ella), and 'you (formal)' (usted). 'Deberías' is specifically for 'you (informal)' (tú). So you would say 'Yo debería...' but 'Tú deberías...'
Is 'debería' the same as 'tendría que' (would have to)?
They are very similar, but 'tendría que' often implies a stronger need or a condition. 'Debería' is more of a general suggestion ('You should sleep'). 'Tendría que' is more like 'I would have to (if something else happens)'. For example, 'Tendría que trabajar más si quisiera comprar un coche' (I would have to work more if I wanted to buy a car).
How do I say 'should have' in Spanish?
You combine the form of 'debería' with the word 'haber' and then the past participle of the main verb. For example: 'Debería haber estudiado' means 'I should have studied'. 'No deberías haber dicho eso' means 'You shouldn't have said that'.