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How to Say "should" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “should” is “debería” — use this form to offer general advice or make a recommendation to a single person you are familiar with (tú form) or to yourself..

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debería

VerbB1Informal/Formal
Use this form to offer general advice or make a recommendation to a single person you are familiar with (tú form) or to yourself.

Examples

Deberías estudiar más para el examen.

You should study more for the exam.

deberían

VerbA2Informal/Formal
Use this form to give advice or state an obligation for a group of people (ustedes or ellos/ellas).

Examples

Los niños deberían acostarse temprano.

The children should go to bed early.

deba

DEH-bah/ˈde.βa/

VerbB1Formal/Informal
This is the present subjunctive form, used after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity, often implying an obligation or expectation that is not yet a certainty.
A small, determined figure is holding an oversized, shiny golden key, standing directly in front of a massive, simple wooden door with a prominent keyhole, symbolizing a required action.

Examples

No creo que él deba ir solo.

I don't think he should go alone.

No quiero que él deba trabajar el fin de semana.

I don't want him to have to work this weekend.

Es crucial que yo deba revisar los detalles antes de firmar.

It is crucial that I must review the details before signing.

Dudo que ella le deba una explicación.

I doubt that she owes him an explanation.

Subjunctive Trigger

You use 'deba' when the main part of the sentence expresses doubt, emotion, a wish, or a judgment about the obligation. For instance, after phrases like 'Es importante que...' (It is important that...).

Form Identity

'Deba' is the special form used for 'yo' (I), 'él/ella' (he/she/it), and 'usted' (you formal).

Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative

Mistake: “Using 'No creo que él debe ir' (I don't think he must go).”

Correction: The correct form is 'No creo que él deba ir.' When you express doubt ('No creo que...'), you must use the special verb form ('deba').

deberá

VerbB1Formal
Use this future tense form to express a strong recommendation or a near-certain obligation, similar to 'will have to' or 'must'.

Examples

El equipo deberá ganar el próximo partido.

The team will have to win the next game.

tendría

VerbB1Formal
Use this conditional form for very polite advice or suggestions, often softening the recommendation to sound like a hypothetical possibility.

Examples

Usted tendría que ser más paciente.

You would have to be more patient.

Choosing Between 'Debería' and 'Deberían'

The most common mistake is confusing 'debería' (should, for 'I' or 'you-singular informal') with 'deberían' (should, for 'they' or 'you-plural'). Always match the verb ending to the subject performing the action – 'a' for singular subjects (including 'yo' and 'tú') and 'an' for plural subjects (including 'ellos/ellas' and 'ustedes').

Related Translations

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