How to use 得
Subject + 得 + Verb Phrase
When pronounced děi, 得 expresses a need to carry out the following action. It is common in conversation when circumstances, duties, or a practical problem make an action necessary. Put it before the verb phrase, after the subject if one is stated. Context can make it sound like firm advice or an unavoidable obligation.
The pronunciation distinguishes this modal from the neutral-tone 得 used between a verb and a complement. Both can occur in the same sentence with different jobs. Sentence-final 了 often appears when a new situation makes action necessary now. To express that something is unnecessary, use an appropriate negative necessity expression such as 不用 rather than mechanically negating modal 得.
Examples with pinyin and English
我们得走了。
We have to leave now.
时间不早了，我得回家了。
It's getting late. I have to go home.
他是你弟弟，你得帮他。
He is your younger brother. You must help him.
不好意思，你得马上离开。
Excuse me, but you have to leave here right now.
What to remember
- Pronounce necessity 得 as děi.
- Place it before the required action.
- Distinguish it from complement particle de.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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