debería ser
/debeɾia seɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "should be" is translated as debería ser.
debería ser is used to express a recommendation, probability or a hypothetical state.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conditional form of the verb deber (should/ought to) and the infinitive ser (to be), literally meaning "he/she/it should be".
Which one should you use?
Use debería ser to express a suggestion or probability. In contrast, debe ser expresses a stronger sense of obligation or certainty. Additionally, if you are talking about a temporary state or location rather than an inherent characteristic, use debería estar instead of debería ser.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear deberá ser or deberías de ser instead of debería ser.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form debería ser uses the conditional tense. To say "they should be", change the first verb to the plural form deberían.
How do you pronounce it?
/debeɾia seɾ/
Did you know?
- While debería ser sounds like a suggestion, the root verb deber is also the noun for 'debt'. This links the idea of moral obligation to the concept of owing something.
- The verb ser might have a hidden history of 'sitting'. It is believed that the Old Spanish form of the verb absorbed elements from the Latin verb sedēre, which means 'to sit'.
- The conditional form debería allows speakers to express a 'polite' obligation. It transforms a direct command into a suggestion, making it the primary tool for diplomatic requests in Spanish.
Examples in context
- Él debería ser actor.He should be an actor.This sentence is useful for describing a person's profession using debería ser.Tatoeba #12527581 by Shishir, translation #12122515 by seeker
- Esto debería ser fácil.This should be easy.This sentence is useful for describing an expected quality of a thing using debería ser.Tatoeba #4329414 by pchamorro, translation #4016096 by CK
- ¡Esto debería ser bueno!This should be good!This sentence is useful for expressing an expectation of quality using debería ser.Tatoeba #1686302 by Shishir, translation #1683864 by Spamster
- La educación debería ser una prioridadEducation should be a priority
- Los estudiantes tendrían que ser más responsablesThe students should be more responsible
- Sería conveniente que fuera más puntualIt would be convenient if he/she were more punctual
- Deberías ser más cuidadosoYou should be more careful
- Estaría bueno que fueras al conciertoIt would be great if you went to the concert
- La obra deberá ser cuidadosamente planeadaThe project should be carefully planned
- ¡Tendrías que ser más respetuoso!You should be more respectful
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing the color of a new wall.
- LucíaEl color debería ser azul claro.The color should be light blue.
- AlejandroMe gusta, pero el blanco es mejor.I like it, but white is better.
- LucíaEntonces, ¿qué color debería ser?Then, what color should it be?
- AlejandroCreo que el blanco es perfecto, Lucía.I think white is perfect, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
