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deber

to owe; must; should

verb deh-BEHR Common
Grammar & Structure Particles

Origin: From Latin debere.

Usage Note

Deber expresses obligation when followed by an infinitive (debes estudiar = 'you must study') and probability or deduction when followed by de + infinitive (debe de ser tarde = 'it must be late'). The distinction between deber (obligation) and deber de (supposition) is observed in formal writing though often blurred in speech. As a noun, el deber means 'duty'.

Examples

"Debes llegar a tiempo."

Natural Translation

You must arrive on time.

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