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Video Dictionary for Language Learners

The meaning of the Spanish word "debe" and how you use it

1
debe
(v.) (present) (usted / él / ella) must; ought to; has/have to; should
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Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
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Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Él debe encontrar trabajo .
He ought to find a job.
Usted debe ser una buena persona .
You must be a good person.
Quiz Yourself on " debe"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
Story Time in the Cuban Cigar Factory
En el español siempre sabemos que la lectura debe ser pausada ,
In Spanish, we always know that the reading must be unhurried,
Spelling's Rocky History in Spanish
pero destacó que esto no debe usarse en la redacción de e-mails ,
but it highlighted that this should not be used in the composition of emails,
To Capitalize Job Titles?
secretario general siempre debe ir en minúscula .
secretary general must always go in lowercase.
Quiz Yourself on " debe"
2
Debe...de
(v. + prep.) (present) (usted / él / ella) should; ought to; must
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Ella debe de estudiar más .
She should study more.
Ella debe de llegar a tiempo .
She must arrive on time.
Quiz Yourself on " Debe... de"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
A Step Ahead of Natural Disasters
Decirle a la gente que debe de entender su entorno físico ; donde voy a edificar ,
Tell the people that they should understand their physical environment; where I'm going to build,
How to Draw Hands
Debe de llegar solo hasta la articulación del siguiente , ¿ recuerdas ?
It should reach only up to the joint of the next one, remember?
Tips for Designing Your Kitchen
Debe de ser una campana bien dimensionada
It must be a hood properly sized
Quiz Yourself on " Debe... de"
3
se...debe
(reflex. v.) (present) is due (to); is the consequence of
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Ganar peso se debe a la falta de ejercicio .
Gaining weight is due to the lack of exercise.
La destrucción del país se debe a una gran tormenta .
The destruction of the country is the consequence of a huge storm.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
Are You a Light Sleeper? Combat It Here!
Claro , y eso se debe , pues obviamente ,
Of course, and that is due to, well obviously,
Are You a Light Sleeper? Combat It Here!
¿ A qué se debe , doctor ?
What is it due to, doctor?
10 Cat Breeds You May Never See
El resultado de esta raza no se debe a una mutación rara , sino a la cría selectiva de persas de menor tamaño .
The result of this breed isn't due to an odd mutation, but to the selective breeding of smaller Persians.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe"
4
se...debe
(v.) (present) (se (impersonal reflexive)) one must/ought to; you must/ought to
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Se debe comer despacio .
One ought to eat slowly.
Se debe trabajar mucho para tener éxito .
One must work a lot to have success.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
The Benefits of Physical Exercise
¿ En promedio , con qué frecuencia se debe practicar el ejercicio y por cuánto tiempo ?
On average, how frequently should one exercise and for how long?
Greetings Across Cultures
Se debe hacer con prudencia y tener en cuenta que en el saludo entre hombres y mujeres
You ought to do it with discretion and keep in mind that in the greeting between men and women,
"Man or Muppet" - Disney's The Muppets
No se debe dejar escapar a la persona que más te importa .
One must not let escape the person who matters most to you.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe"
5
se...debe...a
(reflex. v. + prep.) (present) (usted / él / ella) is due to
Add to
Ildu

Ildu

Content Editor
Ildu is an English and Spanish translator and editor living in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She holds a BA degree in Legal Sworn Translation and has been working as a translator and linguist for over 15 years.
View Bio

Clickable Example Sentences

These examples and translations are created specifically for language learners, and are manually reviewed. Click on words to look them up.
Tu éxito se debe a todo tu esfuerzo .
Your success is due to all your effort.
El problema actual se debe a nuestras malas decisiones .
The current problem is due to our bad decisions.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe... a"

Video Examples

Video examples are manually reviewed for accuracy.
Why Does Spanish Have "B" and "V" if They Sound the Same?
se debe a una cuestión de tradición . En latín , representaban sonidos distintos
is due to a matter of tradition. In Latin, they used to represent different sounds
What Products Are in Short Supply in the World and Why? - Part 2 of 3
Pues la razón de que algunos dispositivos electrónicos y artefactos similares escaseen se debe a la crisis de los semiconductores o de los chips ,
Well, the reason why some electronic devices and similar objects are in short supply is due to the semiconductor or chip crisis,
How Did Dracula Become the World's Most Famous Vampire? - TED-Ed
la asociación se debe , en mayor parte , a que comparten el nombre .
the association is due, for the most part, to (the fact) that they share the name.
Quiz Yourself on " se... debe... a"

Browse other useful Spanish words and phrases

no yes Friday what Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday tipo buen conmigo mal todas nombre haciendo crees toda amor

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