Definition
该 (gāi) means 'should' (like 应该, but 该 can also mean 'deserve' and 'owe'). It is used in everyday speech; 应该 is the default 'should', while 应当 is more formal. For 'deserve', 该 is general; 值得 emphasizes worth, and 配 emphasizes matching qualifications. For 'owe', 该 is less formal than 欠.
verb
(modal verb) shouldought toused to indicate strong necessity or likelihoodto deserve (something positive or negative)to be someone's turnto owe
Easily confused
- 咳kélook-aliketo cough
- 改gǎisound-aliketo change, to alter
- 核hélook-alikepit, stone (of fruit)
- 盖gàisound-alike(noun) lid, cover, top
- 刻kèlook-alike(classifier) quarter (of an hour); a short moment
- 钙gàisound-alikecalcium
- 概gàisound-alike(bound form) general; approximate (used in 大概, 概况, etc.)
Examples
- 该。Nǐ gāi qù shàngkè le.You should go to class now.
- 该。Tā gāi dédào dàjiā de zūnzhòng.He deserves everyone's respect.
- 该。Jīntiān gāi wǒ zuòfàn.Today it's my turn to cook.
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