How to Say "ought to" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “ought to” is “debería” — use 'debería' for giving advice or recommendations in a slightly more formal tone, similar to 'should'..
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debería
verbB1formal
Use 'debería' for giving advice or recommendations in a slightly more formal tone, similar to 'should'.
Examples
Deberías estudiar más para el examen.
You should study more for the exam.
deberían
verbA2
Use 'deberían' to express a moral obligation or a strong piece of advice, often implying a sense of duty or expectation.
Examples
Los ciudadanos deberían respetar las leyes.
Citizens should respect the laws.
tendría
verbB1
Employ 'tendría' when presenting a stronger suggestion or hypothetical condition, often implying a cause and effect for improvement.
Examples
Para aprender rápido, tendrías que practicar a diario.
To learn quickly, you would have to practice daily.
Choosing Between 'Debería' and 'Deberían'
The most common confusion is between 'debería' and 'deberían'. Remember that 'debería' is the 'yo' form (I) and 'tú' form (you, informal), while 'deberían' is the 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' form (they/you all, formal). Always match the verb ending to the subject performing the action.
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