该...了 for “It’s Time To …”
Use 该……了 to say it’s time to do something, or that it’s someone’s turn.
Pattern
(subject +) 该 + verb phrase + 了; 该 + person + 了
该……了 says the right moment has come: “it’s time to …” or “it’s your turn.”
已经十二点了，我们该睡觉了。
When to use 该...了 for “It’s Time To …”
Put 该 before the action and 了 at the end of the sentence. 了 shows the situation has changed: before it wasn’t time, now it is.
七点了，该起床了！
It’s seven o’clock. Time to get up!
时间不早了，我该回家了。
It’s getting late. I should go home now.
我唱完了，该你了。
I’ve finished singing. It’s your turn.
八点了，同学们该上课了。
It’s eight o’clock. Time for class, everyone.
Common traps
- Don’t forget the final 了; it tells the listener the moment has arrived.
- Put 该 before the verb: 该上课了, not 上课该了.
- Use 快要……了 for things that will simply happen soon, like rain.
Targeted drill
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