应该 yīnggāi should
should; ought to; must
How to remember 应该: 应 should + 该 ought = should.
Characters
How it is used
- "should / ought to" - goes before the verb: 你应该休息 (nǐ yīnggāi xiūxi) you should rest.
- Also expresses expectation/likelihood: 他应该到了 (tā yīnggāi dào le) he should have arrived by now.
- Weaker than 必须 (must) and 得 (děi, gotta); it advises rather than compels.
Example sentences
- 学生应该认真学习。 Xuésheng yīnggāi rènzhēn xuéxí.Students should study diligently.
- 新老师应该节食。 Xīn lǎoshī yīnggāi jiéshí.The new teacher should go on a diet.
- 你应该打扫厨房。 Nǐ yīnggāi dǎsǎo chúfáng.You should clean the kitchen.
- 作为父母应该关心孩子。 Zuòwéi fùmǔ yīnggāi guānxīn háizi.As parents, they should care for their children.