debían
/deh-BEE-ahn/
they had to
The image shows the burden of necessity, illustrating the meaning 'they had to' (past obligation).
debían(verb)
they had to
?past obligation
,they were supposed to
?past expectation
you all should have
?formal plural address (ustedes)
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The Imperfect Tense
This form ('debían') describes actions that were repeated or continuous in the past, setting the scene for a story. It’s like saying 'they used to' or 'they were habitually obligated to'.
Obligation vs. Advice
When 'debían' is used alone, it states a strong past obligation. If you want to give gentler advice about the past, use the conditional form ('deberían') instead.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Imperfect and Preterite
Mistake: "Usando 'debieron' para hablar de una obligación habitual."
Correction: Use 'debían' (imperfect) for ongoing or repeated duties. 'Debieron' (preterite) means they finally 'had to' at a specific moment.
⭐ Usage Tips
Narrative Tool
'Debían' is perfect for starting stories about routines or expectations in the past, like 'Every morning, the students were supposed to clean the board...'
This image captures the concept of debt, visualizing the meaning 'they owed' money or favors.
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Owed Money
When 'deber' is followed by a noun (like 'dinero' or 'un favor'), it means 'to owe' that thing. 'Debían' describes this state of owing in the past.
The children realizing what happened to the snowman illustrates the strong past probability or conjecture: 'they must have been'.
debían(verb)
they must have been
?strong past probability/conjecture
,they probably were
?assumption
it was probably because of
?when used with 'a'
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Guessing in the Past
To express a guess or strong probability about a past situation, use 'debían de' + the main verb (usually in the infinitive). This is different from the obligation meaning!
Use of 'de'
While 'deber' alone can sometimes mean probability, adding the small word 'de' (debían de) makes the meaning of assumption much clearer and more common.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you see 'debían' followed by an infinitive (like 'trabajar'), listen to the tone. If it sounds like a guess, translate it as 'must have/probably'; if it sounds like a rule, translate it as 'had to'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ 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
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').