应当

yīng dāng

HSK 3.0 Level 5 Verb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. should; ought to

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 不该 bù gāi 不该 bù gāi should not 表示不应该: should not

Register variants

1 item

• 该当 gāi dāng 该当 gāi dāng should 多见于早期白话或方言: should

Related words

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• 必须 bì xū 必须 bì xū to have to 表示事理上和情理上必要: to have to

Synonyms

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• 应该 yīng gāi 应该 yīng gāi ought to 表示情理上必然或必须如此: ought to

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Mistakenly used interchangeably with 必须 (bìxū). 应当 suggests a moral or logical obligation, while 必须 implies a compelling necessity or requirement.

Formality

More formal than 应该 (yīnggāi), commonly used in official documents, regulations, or formal speeches.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我们 应当 遵守社会道德。

We should abide by social morality.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 应当

• 当 当 dāng: (onom.) dong
• 应 应 yīng: to agree (to do sth)
• 应 应 yìng: to answer
• 当 当 dàng: at or in the very same...