该 (gāi) - should & ought to

该Tone 1

gāi ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 讠

枫惠

该 · gāi

should;

ought to;

deserve;

that;

the said;

this;

owe

shouldought todeserve

Usage highlights

shouldought todeservethe saidthisowe money

Synonyms

  • 应— should; ought to
  • 当— ought; should
  • 欠— owe

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • You should go now (该走了).
  • He deserves the reward (他该得这个奖励).
  • This is the book I mentioned (该书).
  • I owe him ten dollars (我该他十美元).

Collocations

  • should(应该)
  • ought to(该当)
  • deserve(活该)
  • the said(该人)
  • this(该地)
  • owe money(该钱)

Idioms

  • Serves you right(活该)
  • Deserve punishment(罪有应得)
  • Shoulder responsibility(该当何罪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in formal documents to refer to specific persons or things (e.g., 该同志, 该单位).
  • In colloquial speech, often expresses obligation or expectation.
  • The negative form 不该 conveys disapproval of actions that shouldn't have been done.

FAQ