Both patterns guide action, but their usual force can differ.

The idea

Use deberías plus an infinitive for a suggestion; use tienes que plus an infinitive to state a necessity.

Examples

  • Deberías revisar la dirección.You should check the address.
  • Tienes que mostrar el billete en la entrada.You have to show the ticket at the entrance.
  • Deberíamos salir un poco antes.We should leave a little earlier.
  • Tienes que introducir una contraseña para abrir el archivo.You have to enter a password to open the file.
  • Ellos deberían preguntar antes de cambiar el plan.They should ask before changing the plan.
  • Tenemos que terminar el formulario hoy.We have to finish the form today.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Context and tone matter: deber can also express obligation, and a recommendation may sound stronger or softer.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the suggestion addressed to tú. Tú ___ revisar la dirección. (deberías / deberíamos)

    Show answer or example answer

    deberías

    Deberías addresses tú and gives a suggestion.

  2. Choose the necessity addressed to tú. Tú ___ mostrar el billete en la entrada. (tienes que / tenemos que)

    Show answer or example answer

    tienes que

    Tienes que addresses tú and states the necessity.

  3. Choose the suggestion addressed to nosotros. Nosotros ___ salir un poco antes. (deberíamos / deberías)

    Show answer or example answer

    deberíamos

    Deberíamos addresses nosotros and gives a suggestion.

Use it today

Choose the form that matches the subject and the requested suggestion or necessity.