tu dois
The English phrase "you must" is translated into French as tu dois.
This phrase is used to express a strong obligation or necessity for someone to do something. It can also be used to express a strong probability or logical deduction (e.g., 'You must be tired').
Which one should you use?
While tu dois expresses a strong obligation, it can also be used to express a strong probability or logical deduction. In terms of addressing others, the choice of phrase depends on whether you are using the informal tu dois or the formal or plural version vous devez.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tu dois is the informal version of "you must", used with friends, family or peers. The form vous devez is the formal or plural version of 'you must', used with strangers, superiors or multiple people. For informal obligation, you can also use il faut que tu followed by the verb in the subjunctive mood.
Did you know?
- Using tu dois instead of vous devez to a stranger or a superior is called tutoyement and can be perceived as an aggressive act of dominance or a serious insult.
- The verb devoir used in tu dois also means 'to owe'. If you say je te dois to someone, you are telling them 'I owe you' money or a favor.
- The word tu is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂, making it a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'thou'.
Examples in context
- Tu dois le nier.You must deny it.This sentence shows how to use tu dois to express a necessity to deny something.Tatoeba #1156958 by sacredceltic, translation #1357411 by sacredceltic
- Tu dois le sauver.You must save him.This sentence shows how to use tu dois to express a necessity to save someone.Tatoeba #6859719 by GB3, translation #3910710 by CH
- Tu dois être Ziri.You must be Ziri.This sentence shows how to use tu dois to express a logical deduction about someone's identity.Tatoeba #12476905 by always, translation #10213630 by Amastan
- Vous devez travailler dur.You must work hard.
- Vous devez respecter les règles.You must respect the rules.
- Vous devez être présent à la réunion.You must be present at the meeting.
- Il faut que vous le fassiez.You must do it.
- Il faut que vous soyez ponctuel.You must be punctual.
- Il faut que vous respectiez les consignes.You must follow the instructions.
- Il est nécessaire que vous participiez à la réunion.It is necessary for you to attend the meeting.
- Tu dois étudier pour ton examen.You must study for your exam.
- Tu dois te reposer davantage.You must rest more.
- Tu dois être là à l'heure.You must be there on time.
- Il faut que tu sois honnête.You must be honest.
- 364 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are discussing a task at work.
- LucasTu dois finir ce rapport aujourd'hui.You must finish this report today.
- LéaC'est vrai, je suis désolée.It's true, I am sorry.
- LucasC'est très urgent pour la réunion.It is very urgent for the meeting.
- LéaJe m'en occupe tout de suite.I will take care of it right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
