得 (must / have to)

• 拼音: děi
• 结构: Subject + 得 + Verb Phrase
• 汉字拆解: 得 = 彳(step) + 旦 (dawn) + 寸 (inch)

含义

得 (pronounced děi) functions as an auxiliary verb meaning 'must' or 'have to,' indicating necessity or obligation. It is extremely common in spoken Mandarin, especially in northern dialects.

得 (děi) is one of the most frequently used ways to express 'must' in colloquial Chinese, especially in northern Mandarin. It is more casual and conversational than 必须, which sounds more formal or serious. The negative form is 不用 (don't need to) rather than 不得, since 不得 (bùdé) has a different meaning ('not allowed to'). 得 can also express an inevitable consequence, as in 'if this continues, something will have to happen.' Be careful not to confuse this 得 (děi) with the structural particle 得 (de) used after verbs for complements (e.g., 跑得快).

例句

1. 明天有考试，我今晚得好好复习。
2. 快八点了，我得出门了。
3. 你感冒了，得多喝水多休息。

用法指南

语境: spoken, everyday

语气: conversational

正确说法

• 时间不早了，我得走了。
• 你得先把作业做完才能出去玩。
• 天气这么冷，出门得多穿点衣服。

错误说法

• 你不得去看医生。(The negative of 得 (děi) meaning 'must' is 不用, not 不得 — 不得 (bùdé) means 'not allowed to') → 你不用去看医生。
• 我得了好好学习。(Do not add 了 directly after 得 (děi) — 得 is followed directly by a verb phrase) → 我得好好学习。

起源与历史

得 (děi) as an auxiliary verb meaning 'must' developed from the original meaning of 得 (dé) 'to obtain,' evolving through the sense of 'it is necessary to obtain' into the modern obligation meaning. This usage is especially prevalent in northern Mandarin dialects.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal