Debe (en. Has to)

/'de.βe/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

verb

Indicates obligation or debt.

He must finish his homework before going out.

Él debe terminar su tarea antes de salir.

Expresses assumption or deduction.

You must be tired after working so much.

Debes estar cansado después de tanto trabajar.

Refers to what is appropriate or correct.

You must be respectful to others.

Debes ser respetuoso con los demás.

From Latin 'debere', which means 'to owe' or 'to be in debt'.

must be

Indicates probability or assumption.

debe de

must not forget

Reminder not to forget something important.

no debe olvidar

must be

Indicates that something is necessary or correct.

debe ser

duty

Obligation or responsibility.

deber

debt

Sum of money owed to someone.

deuda

duties

Tasks or obligations that must be fulfilled.

deberes

To owe something to someone.

I owe my friend a favor.

Le debo un favor a mi amigo.

To be obliged to do something.

I must go to the meeting, I have no choice.

Debo ir a la reunión, no tengo opción.