Modal Verb: 得 (děi) — Must / Have to
能愿动词：得
Express necessity or obligation using 得 (děi) meaning "must" or "have to"
Place 得 (děi) before the main verb to express that the subject must or has to do something. It indicates necessity driven by circumstances or personal judgment.
Be careful not to confuse this 得 (děi) with the structural particle 得 (de) used after verbs for complements (e.g., 跑得快). They are written the same but pronounced differently and serve completely different functions. The negative form is 不用 (bùyòng, "don't need to") rather than 不得.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Modal Verb: 得 (děi) — Must / Have to (能愿动词：得)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 能愿动词：得 pattern
New here?
Understanding 能愿动词：得
The modal verb 得 (děi) expresses that something must be done, often because circumstances require it. It is more colloquial and conversational than 必须, which sounds formal and authoritative. When a Chinese speaker says 我得走了, they are telling you the situation demands they leave — perhaps it is late, or they have an appointment. Unlike 应该 (should) which gives advice, 得 carries a stronger sense of unavoidable necessity. The negative is not 不得 but rather 不用 (don't need to) — this is a common point of confusion for learners. In northern Chinese dialects especially, 得 is extremely common in everyday speech and sounds natural and warm.
Key Points
- 得 (děi) = "must / have to" — expresses necessity driven by circumstances.
- It is more colloquial than 必须 (bìxū), which is formal and emphatic.
- The negative form is 不用 (bùyòng) = "don't need to," NOT 不得.
- 得 (děi) often appears with 了 at the end: 我得走了 (I have to go now).
- Do not confuse with the complement particle 得 (de): 说得好 (speak well).
- Common in northern dialects, especially Beijing Mandarin.
- Often implies the speaker has considered the situation and concluded something is necessary.
In Chinese daily life, 得 is one of the most frequently heard words. A parent telling a child 你得好好学习 carries warmth and genuine concern, not just obligation. It reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on diligence and mutual care — when someone tells you what you "must" do, it often comes from a place of caring.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
今天下课我得早点儿回家。
After class today, I have to go home early.
时间不早了，我得回家了。
It's getting late — I have to go home.
Circumstance-driven necessity
你再忙也得好好吃饭啊！
No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat properly!
Caring tone from a friend or family member
明天有考试，我今晚得复习。
There is an exam tomorrow — I have to review tonight.
这件事你得自己决定。
You have to decide this matter yourself.
下雨了，我们得带伞。
It's raining — we have to bring umbrellas.
你得注意身体。
You must take care of your health.
这个问题得认真想想。
This problem needs to be thought through carefully.
Common Mistakes
The negative of 得 (děi) is 不用, not 不得. 不得 (bùdé) is a different word meaning "may not / must not" in formal language.
Do not confuse 得 (děi, must) with the complement particle 得 (de). If you mean "he said he has to go home," use a clause structure with the subject repeated.
得 does not take 不 directly. Either use 不用 for "don't need to" or 得 for "must."
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Remember: 得 (děi) for obligation and 得 (de) for complements are two different words. Context and pronunciation tell them apart.
When you feel an external circumstance forces you to act, use 得. When giving formal orders or rules, use 必须.
Practice the pattern 再……也得……: 再累也得学习 (No matter how tired, you still must study).
Listen for 得 in Chinese TV shows — it appears constantly in casual dialogue, especially in northern-set dramas.
Homework
Write six sentences about things you must do this week using 得. Then rewrite three of them using 不用 to describe things you do not need to do. Example: 我得交作业 → 我不用交作业 (if the teacher canceled it).