deberíamos
/debeɾiamos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "we should" is translated into Spanish as deberíamos.
deberíamos is used to suggest a recommended or advisable course of action.
Which one should you use?
While debemos (present indicative) implies a stronger obligation or a direct duty, deberíamos (conditional) is softer and used for suggestions or advice.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form deberíamos is the first-person plural conditional indicative of the verb deber.
How do you pronounce it?
/debeɾiamos/
Did you know?
- The root verb deber also means 'debt'. Because of this, saying deberíamos can subtly imply that the action is a moral or social debt that remains unpaid.
- In Spanish, the word deberes is the common term for 'homework'. This implies that school assignments are a moral or intellectual debt the student owes to their education.
- In casual speech, instead of the conditional deberíamos, many speakers might use the phrase hay que to suggest that something simply needs to be done, regardless of who does it.
Examples in context
- Deberíamos ir los dos.We should both go.This sentence demonstrates using deberíamos to suggest a joint action.Tatoeba #3225245 by Shishir, translation #2953780 by CK
- Deberíamos llamar a Tom.We should call Tom.This sentence shows how to use deberíamos when suggesting a person to call.Tatoeba #2130725 by Shishir, translation #1893737 by CK
- Deberíamos irnos a dormir.We should go to sleep.This sentence illustrates using deberíamos to suggest going to sleep.Tatoeba #4429227 by Rodos, translation #4426570 by Serafin
- Debemos estudiar más para el examen.We should study more for the exam.
- Es conveniente que lleguemos temprano a la reunión.We should arrive early to the meeting.
- Es recomendable que hablemos con un experto.We should speak with an expert.
- Deberíamos ir al cine este fin de semana.We should go to the movies this weekend.
- Debemos prestar atención en clase.We should pay attention in class.
- Es recomendable que salgamos temprano para evitar el tráfico.We should leave early to avoid the traffic.
- Deberíamos invitar a Juan a nuestra fiesta.We should invite Juan to our party.
- 205 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are deciding what to do on a Saturday afternoon.
- AlejandroDeberíamos ir al cine hoy.We should go to the cinema today.
- Lucía¿De verdad deberíamos gastar dinero ahora?Should we really spend money right now?
- AlejandroSí, nos hace falta distraernos.Yes, we need to distract ourselves.
- LucíaEstá bien, vamos.Alright, let's go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
