debo
/DEH-boh/
I have to
Visualizing the concept of duty, where the subject is actively fulfilling what they "must" do.
debo(Verb)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
'Debo' + The Basic Verb Form
To say you have to do something, you use 'debo' followed by the basic, unchanged form of the next verb (like 'comer', 'hablar', 'vivir'). For example: 'Debo correr' (I have to run).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Debo' and 'Tengo que'
Mistake: "Thinking 'debo' and 'tengo que' are exactly the same."
Correction: 'Tengo que' is more common for everyday necessities ('Tengo que comprar pan'). 'Debo' often implies a stronger sense of moral duty ('Debo decir la verdad'), but in many cases, they can be used interchangeably.
⭐ Usage Tips
Softening 'I must' to 'I should'
If you want to give advice or say 'I should' instead of 'I must', use the conditional form: 'debería'. For example, 'Debería llamar a mi abuela' means 'I should call my grandma'.
Representing the concept of owing something, visualized by the act of returning or repaying a favor or debt with a token.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Saying *Who* You Owe
To say who you owe, you use a little word like 'te' (you), 'le' (him/her), or 'les' (them) right before 'debo'. Example: 'Te debo un café' means 'I owe you a coffee'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Not Just for Money
Remember you can 'owe' things that aren't money, like favors ('un favor'), apologies ('una disculpa'), or respect ('respeto').
Depicting a logical assumption or strong probability, indicated by the subject's confident gesture toward a likely place.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Making a Guess with 'Debo de'
To use 'debo' for guessing, you typically add 'de' right after it, followed by the basic form of a verb. For example, 'Debo de estar enfermo' means 'I must be sick'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Dropping the 'de'
In everyday conversation, you'll often hear people drop the 'de' when making a guess. So, 'Debo estar enfermo' is also very common. While technically less precise, it's widely understood.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: debo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'debo' to mean 'I owe'?
📚 More Resources
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'.