VOCABULARY USAGE
1. 得 děi · HSK 3
Modal v. 能愿动词/助动词 néngyuàndòngcí/zhùdòngcí ▸ (informal) to have to; to need to
When we use 得, we follow this structure:
得 + 要做的事情 (得 + do something)
- Nǐ děi xiāngxìn zìjǐ!
你得相信自己!
You need to trust (your)self!
- Wǒ de shùxué zhème bù hǎo, děi nǔlì le.
我的数学这么不好,得努力了。
My math (is) so not good, (I) need to work hard (already).
- Wǒ zhè ge yuè de qián huā wán le, děi rang fùmǔ zài gěi wǒ diǎnr.
我这个月的钱花完了,得让父母再给我点儿。
My money (of) this “ge” (of) month (has been) spent-(with the result of)-finishing-(spending), (I) need to make (my) parents again give me “(a) little bit” (of money).
❖ We cannot say ✗不得. When we need to express the opposite meaning, we say 不用.
- Jīntiān wǒ děi shàng shùxué kè, dàn bú yòng shàng Yīngyǔ kè.
今天我得上数学课,但不用上英语课。
Today I need to attend math class, but (I do) not need to attend English class.