How to Say "i should" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “i should” is “debo” — A1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Debo terminar mi tarea antes de la cena.
I have to finish my homework before dinner.
Debo llamar a mis padres este fin de semana.
I must call my parents this weekend.
Si quiero pasar el examen, debo estudiar mucho.
If I want to pass the exam, I must study a lot.
'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).
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.
Related Translations
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