应该

yīng gāi

HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Verb Very common

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Definitions

1. ought to
2. should
3. must

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 不该 bù gāi 不该 bù gāi should not used as negation of 应该: should not

Register variants

1 item

• 应当 yīng dāng 应当 yīng dāng should; ought to more formal equivalent of 应该, often in written language: should; ought to

Usage notes

Common mistakes

应该 is an auxiliary verb and must be followed by a verb or adjective, not a noun.

Grammar

Guides that feature 应该

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 7 min

Needs and Obligations

Learn Needs and Obligations with practical HSK 3 examples, focus vocabulary, common pitfalls, and targeted cloze practice.

Reading: yīng gāi Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown

你 应该 买一份保险。

You should buy an insurance policy.

我们 应该 言行一致。

We should be consistent in our words and actions.

我们 应该 传承中华优秀传统文化。

We should pass on the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

我们 应该 珍视彼此之间的友谊。

We should treasure the friendship between us.

我们 应该 予以重视。

We should give it serious attention.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 应该

• 应该的 应该的 yīng gāi de: you're most welcome

Child Words of 应该

• 应 应 yīng: to agree (to do sth)
• 应 应 yìng: to answer
• 该 该 gāi: should