deberíamos
/de-be-REE-ah-mos/
we should
The image shows two friends deciding on a path, illustrating the meaning 'we should' or 'we ought to' (giving advice or a suggestion).
deberíamos(Verb)
we should
?giving advice or a suggestion
we ought to
?a slightly more formal way of suggesting
📝 In Action
Deberíamos llamar a nuestros padres más a menudo.
A2We should call our parents more often.
Si queremos llegar a tiempo, deberíamos salir ahora.
B1If we want to arrive on time, we should leave now.
Creo que deberíamos considerar todas las opciones.
B1I think we should consider all the options.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Polite Suggestions
'Deberíamos' is the 'we' form for making suggestions or giving advice. It's much softer and more polite than saying 'tenemos que' (we have to).
Follow with the Base Verb
After 'deberíamos', the very next verb is always in its original, unchanged form (like 'comer', 'hablar', 'vivir'). For example: 'Deberíamos ir al cine.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it for Strong Orders
Mistake: "Deberíamos pagar los impuestos."
Correction: Use 'Tenemos que pagar los impuestos.' 'Deberíamos' is for suggestions, not strict obligations. 'Tenemos que' is for things that are necessary or required.
⭐ Usage Tips
Soften Your Advice
To make a suggestion even gentler, you can add 'quizás' or 'tal vez' (maybe) at the beginning. 'Quizás deberíamos pedir una pizza.' (Maybe we should order a pizza.)
Two explorers use a map and a landmark to make a logical deduction, representing the meaning 'we must be' or 'we are probably'.
deberíamos(Verb)
we must be
?expressing probability or a logical guess
we are probably
?making a guess about a current situation
📝 In Action
Si el vuelo salió a las 3, deberíamos aterrizar pronto.
B2If the flight left at 3, we must be landing soon.
Con todo este estudio, deberíamos sacar una buena nota.
B2With all this studying, we should get a good grade. (It's the probable outcome)
Si seguimos el mapa, deberíamos estar muy cerca del hotel.
C1If we're following the map, we must be very close to the hotel.
💡 Grammar Points
Making a Good Guess
You can use 'deberíamos' to say what you think is probably true based on evidence. It's like saying 'we must be...' in English when you're making a logical deduction.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing a Guess with Advice
Mistake: "Hearing 'Deberíamos estar cansados' and only thinking it's advice ('We should try to be tired')."
Correction: Think about the situation. If you just finished a marathon, it's a logical guess: 'We must be tired'. The context tells you if it's a guess or a suggestion.
⭐ Usage Tips
Making it Clear with 'de'
In some regions, especially in more formal Spanish, people add 'de' after the verb to make it extra clear they are making a guess: 'Deberíamos de estar en la lista' (We must be on the list).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: deberíamos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'deberíamos' to make a logical guess, not to give advice?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'deberíamos' and 'tenemos que'?
'Deberíamos' is for suggestions and advice ('we should'), which are optional. 'Tenemos que' is for obligations and necessities ('we have to'), which are not optional. For example, 'Deberíamos ir al cine' (a fun idea) vs. 'Tenemos que ir al trabajo' (a requirement).
How do I say 'we should have done something'?
You use a slightly different structure: 'Deberíamos haber' followed by the past participle of the verb. For example, 'Deberíamos haber estudiado más' means 'We should have studied more'.