得 (děi)
have to; must (spoken)
Structure
主语 + 得 + 动词 · 否定：不用 + 动词
What it means
In speech, 得 read děi means “have to, must”. It is softer and more everyday than 必须.
How it is built
Subject + 得 + verb: 太晚了，我得回家了 (it’s late; I have to go home). Negative: 不用 + verb, “don’t need to”: 我不用去 (I don’t need to go).
When to use it
Use 得 in everyday talk for things you have to do; 必须 is firmer. One character, three readings: before a verb děi (我得走), after a verb de (放得太乱, h2-10), and dé in 得到 “to get”.
Watch out
The negative is 不用, not 不得: ✗ 我不得去。 ✓ 我不用去。 To answer “Do I have to?”: A：我得去吗？B：不用，我去就行。
Examples
太晚了，我得回家了。
It’s late; I have to go home.
明天考试，我得好好复习。
There’s an exam tomorrow; I have to revise properly.
A：我得去吗？B：不用，我去就行。
A: Do I have to go? B: No need, I’ll go.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 6: 把房间打扫干净 (The big clean)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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