Should in Spanish || How to Use Deber & Deber De

Q: What is the difference between deber and deber de in Spanish?

Deber is used to express obligation or strong advice ("should/must"), while deber de suggests probability or assumption ("must be" in the sense of a guess). Example: Debes estudiar más. (“You should study more.”) vs. Debe de ser muy tarde. (“It must be very late.”)

Q: Is deber de always necessary when expressing probability?

Not always. In modern usage, many native speakers drop the "de" and simply say debe ser even when expressing probability, although deber de is more traditional.

Q: Can deber be used in the conditional to make suggestions softer?

Yes! The conditional form debería means “should” in a more polite or less forceful way. Example: Deberías descansar. (“You should rest.”)

Q: Is there a difference between deber and tener que ?

Yes. Tener que expresses a clear necessity or external obligation (“have to”), while deber often implies a moral duty or suggestion (“should/must”).

Q: Do you offer Spanish classes?

Yes, we do! You can learn Spanish online on our teaching platform, Flexi Classes . Study in group classes, individual classes or both, the curriculum includes all levels, and classes are available 24/7. Start with a 7 days free trial today!

Home B1 Should in Spanish

HOW TO SAY SHOULD IN SPANISH

Should in Spanish is expressed using the regular verb deber. Depending on the structure used alongside deber, it can indicate obligation or supposition/probability.

When the word deber is used as part of phrasal construction to indicate obligation or supposition/probability, it functions as an auxiliary verb in combination with an infinitive.

TO EXPRESS OBLIGATION

When expressing obligation or duty, the verb deber must always be used without the preposition de before the infinitive.

In this context of use, the verb deber is akin to saying “must” in English when stating an obligation or “should” when giving advice or indicating a necessity.

PATTERN

Deber + infinitive (unconjugated form of the main action)

In this context, Spanish grammar norms universally reject the use of the preposition de before the infinitive.

See in the PRESENT tense:

Present tense (Presente):

Subject Pronoun	Conjugation	english
Yo	debo ir	I should go.
Tú	debes ir	You should go.
Él/Ella/Usted	debe ir	He/She/You (formal, singular) should go.
Nosotros/as	debemos ir	We should go.
Vosotros/as	debéis ir	You (all) should go.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	deben ir	They/You (formal, plural) should go.

See in the PAST tense:

Past tense (Pretérito):

Subject Pronoun	Conjugation	english
Yo	debí ir	I should have gone.
Tú	debiste ir	You should have gone.
Él/Ella/Usted	debió ir	He/She/You (formal, singular) should have gone.
Nosotros/as	debimos ir	We should have gone.
Vosotros/as	debisteis ir	You (all) should have gone.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	debieron ir	They/You (formal, plural) should have gone.

See in the FUTURE tense:

Future tense (Futuro Simple):

Subject Pronoun	Conjugation	english
Yo	deberé ir	I should go.
Tú	deberás ir	You should go.
Él/Ella/Usted	deberá ir	He/She/You (formal, singular) should go.
Nosotros/as	deberemos ir	We should go.
Vosotros/as	deberéis ir	You (all) should go.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	deberán ir	They/You (formal, plural) should go.

See in the CONDITIONAL tense:

Conditional tense (Condicional Simple):

Subject Pronoun	Conjugation	english
Yo	debería ir	I should go.
Tú	deberías ir	You should go.
Él/Ella/Usted	debería ir	He/She/You (formal, singular) should go.
Nosotros/as	deberíamos ir	We should go.
Vosotros/as	deberíais ir	You (all) should go.
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	deberían ir	They/You (formal, plural) should go.

See a few examples:

Deberemos tener en cuenta las circunstancias.	We should consider the circumstances.
Debes mirar antes de cruzar la calle.	You should look before crossing the street.
Debería ir cuanto antes a verle.	You (singular, formal) should go as soon as possible to see him/her.
Para participar en el concurso, debes rellenar el formulario.	To participate in the contest, you must fill out the form.
Debo ser honesta conmigo misma.	I should be honest with myself.
Debéis seguir las reglas para no ser descalificados.	You (plural, informal) must follow the rules to not be disqualified.

TO EXPRESS SUPPOSITION

When the verb deber is followed by the preposition de, it expresses a probability, an assumption, or a guess about something that is likely or probable.

In this context of use, the verb deber is akin to saying “should be” or “must be” in English when implying a certain degree of uncertainty.

The use of deber de introduces a certain speculative element, indicating that something must be true or the case.

PATTERN

Deber de + infinitive (unconjugated form of the main action)

Another accepted construction – although less preferred – of the use of verb deber to suggest that the statement is a guess, a conjecture, or a likelihood, implying an element of uncertainty is one without the preposition de, as follows:

PATTERN

Deber + infinitive (unconjugated form of the main action)

To avoid confusion of context with the use of deber to signify an obligation or duty, it is recommendable to use the verb deber, followed by the preposition de, when indicating an assumption or a probability.

Debe de estar nevando mucho en los Pirineos este invierno.	It must be snowing a lot in the Pyrenees this winter.
Debes de ser feliz después de la fiesta sorpresa.	You must be happy after the surprise party.
Ya no vivo en esa dirección, debe de ser una equivocación.	I no longer live at that address, it must be a mistake.
Suena mi teléfono, debe de ser mi madre.	My phone is ringing, it must be my mother.
Deberían de haber acabado la clase.	They should have finished the class.
Deben de ser las cuatro de la tarde.	It must be four o’clock in the afternoon.

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FAQs

What is the difference between deber and deber de in Spanish?

Deber is used to express obligation or strong advice (“should/must”), while deber de suggests probability or assumption (“must be” in the sense of a guess).

Example: Debes estudiar más. (“You should study more.”) vs. Debe de ser muy tarde. (“It must be very late.”)

Is deber de always necessary when expressing probability?

Not always. In modern usage, many native speakers drop the “de” and simply say debe ser even when expressing probability, although deber de is more traditional.

How do I conjugate deber in different tenses?

Deber is a regular -er verb. For example:

Present: debo, debes, debe…

Preterite: debí, debiste, debió…

Conditional (for soft advice): debería, deberías…

Can deber be used in the conditional to make suggestions softer?

Yes! The conditional form debería means “should” in a more polite or less forceful way.

Example: Deberías descansar. (“You should rest.”)

Is there a difference between deber and tener que?

Yes. Tener que expresses a clear necessity or external obligation (“have to”), while deber often implies a moral duty or suggestion (“should/must”).

Do you offer Spanish classes?

Yes, we do!

You can learn Spanish online on our teaching platform, Flexi Classes.

Study in group classes, individual classes or both, the curriculum includes all levels, and classes are available 24/7.

Start with a 7 days free trial today!

Spanish Grammar Bank

HOW TO SAY SHOULD IN SPANISH

TO EXPRESS OBLIGATION

PATTERN

TO EXPRESS SUPPOSITION

PATTERN

PATTERN

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