yīng
gāi
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

應該 (Traditional: 應該)

HSK 3

Dictionary

ought to; should; must

Examples

你应该按时完成作业。

Nǐ yīnggāi ànshí wánchéng zuòyè.

You should finish your homework on time.

我们应该帮助有困难的人。

Wǒmen yīnggāi bāngzhù yǒu kùnnan de rén.

We ought to help people in need.

你必须在天黑前回家。

Nǐ bìxū zài tiān hēi qián huí jiā.

You must come back home before dark.

Did You Know?

Grammar

Word Formation

应 means 'should' and 该 means 'ought to'.

Usage Tips

应该 is a modal verb placed before the main verb: 你应该学习 (You should study). It can also be negated with 不: 不应该 (should not).