tu devrais
In French, "you should" is expressed as tu devrais.
The phrase is used to provide a recommendation or a piece of advice to someone.
Which one should you use?
While tu devrais is used for a soft recommendation, the phrase tu dois expresses a much stronger obligation or necessity, such as "you must" or "you have to".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using this phrase to give advice, the verb that follows tu devrais must be in its infinitive (unconjugated) form. Additionally, you should use vous devriez instead of tu devrais when addressing more than one person or when speaking to someone formally.
Did you know?
- While 'you should' in English is often a suggestion, the French root of devoir is closely tied to the concept of 'debt'.
- In some French social circles, switching from vous devriez to tu devrais is a significant social milestone called 'tutoiement' that signals a new level of intimacy.
- Depending on the region, using tu devrais with a stranger might be seen as friendly in Quebec but potentially rude or overly familiar in Paris.
Examples in context
- Tu devrais y aller.You should go.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tu devrais.Tatoeba #3640825 by sacredceltic, translation #518556 by CK
- Tu devrais lire ça.You should read this.Tatoeba #6886869 by Rockaround, translation #3330943 by CK
- Tu devrais faire ça.You should do that.Tatoeba #4827575 by mkacfr, translation #4815571 by CK
- Vous devriez étudier davantage pour réussir votre examen.You should study more to pass your exam.
- Il faudrait que vous veniez à notre réunion demain.You should come to our meeting tomorrow.
- Tu devrais essayer ce nouveau restaurant, il est excellent.You should try this new restaurant, it's excellent.
- Faut que tu voies ce film, il est génial.You gotta see this movie, it's awesome.
- Tu devrais prendre plus de temps pour te reposer.You should take more time to rest.
- Tu devrais t'habiller plus formellement pour cette occasion.You should dress more formally for this occasion.
- 679 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about Gabriel's health.
- EmmaTu as l'air fatigué, Gabriel.You look tired, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, je dors très mal en ce moment.Yes, I am sleeping very poorly lately.
- EmmaTu devrais te reposer un peu.You should rest a bit.
- GabrielTu as raison, Emma.You are right, Emma.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
