应当 yīngdāng should
should; ought to
How to remember 应当: 应 should + 当 act as = should.
Characters
How it is used
- "Should / ought to," a formal counterpart of 应该: 我们应当努力 (wǒmen yīngdāng nǔlì) we ought to work hard.
- Both readings are yīngdāng; carries a slightly more written, principled/moral tone than 应该.
- Common in rules, guidance, and formal statements.
Example sentences
- 火车应当准点到。 Huǒchē yīngdāng zhǔndiǎn dào.The train should be on time.
- 他觉得我理所应当知道答案。 Tā juéde wǒ lǐsuǒyīngdāng zhīdào dáàn.He took it for granted that I knew the answer.
- 汤姆应当被责备。 Tāngmǔ yīngdāng bèi zébèi.Tom deserves to be blamed.