应该應該 yīnggāi — should, ought to
yīnggāi (first tone, high and level)ying1gai1
Traditional: 應該
should, ought to
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
Meanings
should, ought to
What is right or expected, rather than what is imposed. It sits before the verb and is negated normally — 不应该 — which is exactly where it differs from 必须.
verb
Example sentences
- 你应该早点儿休息。你應該早點兒休息。Nǐ (third tone, dipping) yīnggāi (first tone, high and level) zǎo (third tone, dipping) diǎnr (third tone, dipping) xiūxi. (first tone, high and level)···
You should get some rest earlier.
- 上课的时候不应该玩儿手机。上課的時候不應該玩兒手機。Shàngkè (fourth tone, falling) de (neutral tone) shíhou (second tone, rising) bù (fourth tone, falling) yīnggāi (first tone, high and level) wánr (second tone, rising) shǒujī. (third tone, dipping)···
You shouldn’t play with your phone during class.
Common mistakes
Not quite你应该去，不去不行。
Correct你必须去，不去不行。
应该 advises; 必须 obliges. When there is no choice at all — a rule, a deadline — the word is 必须.