debo
“debo” means “I have to” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
I have to, I must
Also: I should
📝 In Action
Debo terminar mi tarea antes de la cena.
A1I have to finish my homework before dinner.
Debo llamar a mis padres este fin de semana.
A1I must call my parents this weekend.
Si quiero pasar el examen, debo estudiar mucho.
A2If I want to pass the exam, I must study a lot.
I owe
📝 In Action
Te debo diez dólares.
A2I owe you ten dollars.
Le debo una disculpa por llegar tarde.
B1I owe him/her an apology for being late.
Siento que te debo una explicación.
B1I feel like I owe you an explanation.
I must be
Also: I'm probably
📝 In Action
No encuentro mis llaves. Debo de haberlas dejado en casa.
B2I can't find my keys. I must have left them at home.
Tengo mucho sueño. Debo de estar más cansado de lo que pensaba.
B2I'm very sleepy. I must be more tired than I thought.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: debo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'debo' to mean 'I owe'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'dēbēre', which meant 'to owe'. This original sense of owing something, like money, expanded over time to also mean owing a duty or an obligation to do something.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'debo' and 'tengo que'?
They both mean 'I have to', but 'tengo que' is more common for everyday needs and external obligations (like a rule at work). 'Debo' can feel a bit more personal or moral, like a duty. However, in many situations, you can use either one and be perfectly understood.
How do I say 'I should' instead of 'I must'?
To soften the meaning to 'I should', you use a different form of the verb called the conditional: 'debería'. For example, 'Debo estudiar' is 'I must study', while 'Debería estudiar' is 'I should study'.