必须 bìxū must
must; have to
How to remember 必须: 必 must + 须 have to = must.
Characters
How it is used
- "must, no way around it" - 你必须去 (nǐ bìxū qù) you have to go. Stronger than 要 / 应该.
- The negative of the obligation is 不用 (búyòng, need not) or 无须, not 不必须.
- Watch the homophone 必需 (bìxū): that's an adjective/noun for "essential, necessities" (必需品), not the modal verb.
Example sentences
- 必须的！ Bìxū de!Definitely!
- 你必须走。 Nǐ bìxū zǒu.You must leave.
- 我们必须遵守法律。 Wǒmen bìxū zūnshǒu fǎlǜ.We must obey the law.