¿debería?
The English phrase "should I" is translated into Spanish as ¿debería?
Which one should you use?
While ¿debería? expresses a suggestion or advice (should), ¿Debo…? is more forceful and implies obligation or necessity (must/have to).
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "should I [do something]", you follow the phrase with the infinitive form of the verb: ¿Debería + [infinitive]? While the subject pronoun yo (I) can be added for emphasis, it is often omitted because the verb ending debería already implies the first person singular: ¿Debería yo?
Did you know?
- The verb deber shares a root with the word deuda, meaning 'debt'. This connects the idea of 'should' or 'ought to' directly to the concept of owing something to someone.
- While 'should I' is a common way to start a sentence in English, starting a sentence with ¿Debería? in Spanish can sometimes sound like you are questioning the morality of an action rather than just asking for guidance.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of asking ¿debería? to seek advice, people often use the phrase ¿qué me aconsejas? which means 'what do you advise me?'
Examples in context
- ¿Debo ir a la reunión hoy?Should I go to the meeting today?
- ¿Debo enviar el informe por correo electrónico?Should I send the report via email?
- ¿Sería conveniente llamar al cliente antes de la reunión?Should I call the client before the meeting?
- ¿Sería conveniente tomar este curso de formación?Should I take this training course?
- ¿Debería llamar a Juan para invitarlo a la fiesta?Should I call Juan to invite him to the party?
- ¿Crees que debería estudiar medicina?Do you think I should study medicine?
- ¿Crees que debería ir de vacaciones a la playa o a la montaña?Do you think I should go on vacation to the beach or the mountains?
- ¿Debería llamar ahora?Should I call now?
