Chinese Grammar: Lesson: Comparing 应该 and 必须 for should

Think of a Monday morning when the alarm clock rings and your mother is yelling: “Time to get up and go to school!” Sometimes, you have no choice but to face the things you “should” or “must” do. Aren’t you wondering how to express that in Chinese? Today, let's look at two verbs, 应该 and必须, that are both used in these moments where you really should be doing something. Both verbs can imply an obligation to do something, so let’s see which you should use when.

应该 for should

Let's start with 应该, which is extremely frequent in Mandarin Chinese. 应该 means “should; ought to” or “had better”; you placed it right before the main verb. You usually use this verb when you want to express something that ought to be done or give some advice to someone. Here's how you use it:

Structure

S + 应该 + V + O

Examples

你应该学习 汉语。
You should learn Chinese.

我应该多 喝 水。
I'm supposed to drink more water.

他应该去 医院。
He had better go to the hospital.

你应该好好 学习。
You ought to study hard.

应该 is an informal way to show a social obligation, but one nobody will force you to accomplish. It’s more like giving a choice that is preferable to do. In the last example, “study hard” is advice that is helpful for you. But whether you choose to do it or not is up to you!

必须 for must

Unlike 应该，the word 必须 conveys a strong sense of obligation: someone will force somebody to do something. 必须 is a very formal way to express “must” and “having to” do something. Place 必须 before the main verb and you have yourself a formal word to give orders or commands.

Structure

S + 必须 + V + O

Examples

你必须去 医院。
You have to go to the hospital.

你必须七 点 起床。
You must get up at seven o’ clock.

你必须好好 学习。
You must study hard.

As you see, 必须 is something you have no choice but to do. Notice how, in the last example, by changing just one word, the sentence entirely changes the meaning.

So how do you feel about these two verbs? Ready to tell them apart and practice when to use which? Let's go!

应该 is also often used in some situations where it has a slightly different meaning: it’s to estimate something that must or must not be.

For example: 今天 是 星期日，商店 应该 不 开门。 Today is Sunday, the shop won’t be open.