Expressing External Obligation in Mandarin Chinese: Using 得 (děi) for 'Have To' and 'Has To'
Learn to express 'have to' and 'has to' in Mandarin Chinese using the modal verb 得 (děi), focusing on external obligations like work, appointments, and rules. Compare with 必须 (bìxū) and practice with real-life examples.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, 'have to' and 'has to' express obligations that come from outside yourself—rules, schedules, or other people's expectations. Mandarin Chinese has a similar tool: the modal verb 得 (děi). Unlike 必须 (bìxū), which often implies a strong personal or moral obligation, 得 (děi) highlights practical necessity. It is invariable: the same form is used for all subjects. In this lesson, you will learn to use 得 (děi) to say what you or others have to do, and you will see how it differs from 必须 (bìxū). By the end, you will be able to talk about your daily obligations accurately.
By the end, you can…
- use 得 (děi) to express that someone has to do something due to external circumstances.
- distinguish between 得 (děi) and 必须 (bìxū) in terms of obligation strength and source.
- form negative sentences with 不用 (bùyòng) to say someone doesn't have to do something.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我得工作。
I have to work.
wǒ děi gōngzuò
Use 得 (děi) before a verb to indicate an external obligation. Here, the speaker has to work, perhaps because of a schedule or boss's requirement.
你明天得早起。
You have to get up early tomorrow.
nǐ míngtiān děi zǎo qǐ
得 (děi) comes after the time word 明天 (míngtiān) and before the verb. This sentence means you have an obligation to get up early tomorrow.
他得去医院。
He has to go to the hospital.
tā děi qù yīyuàn
The same 得 (děi) is used for third person singular. It implies he has an external reason to go, such as a doctor's appointment.
我们得遵守规则。
We have to follow the rules.
wǒmen děi zūnshǒu guīzé
Here, the obligation comes from societal or institutional rules. 得 (děi) emphasizes that it is necessary in practice.
你不用来。
You don't have to come.
nǐ bùyòng lái
The negative of 得 (děi) is usually 不用 (bùyòng), meaning 'don't have to' or 'need not'. It indicates absence of obligation.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is: Subject + 得 (děi) + Verb Phrase. For example, 我得工作 (wǒ děi gōngzuò) 'I have to work.' 得 (děi) is a modal verb, so it does not change form. You can add time words or place words before 得: 我明天得去北京 (wǒ míngtiān děi qù Běijīng) 'I have to go to Beijing tomorrow.' To make a negative sentence, use 不用 (bùyòng) instead of 得: 我不用工作 (wǒ bùyòng gōngzuò) 'I don't have to work.' Note that 得 (děi) is pronounced děi, not dé or de. It is different from the structural particle 得 (de) and the verb 得 (dé) 'to get'.
When to use it
Use 得 (děi) when the obligation comes from external circumstances: rules, laws, schedules, or other people's demands. For example, if your boss says you must attend a meeting, you can say 我得开会 (wǒ děi kāihuì) 'I have to attend a meeting.' If you have a doctor's appointment, 我得去看医生 (wǒ děi qù kàn yīshēng) 'I have to go see a doctor.' In contrast, 必须 (bìxū) often implies a strong personal or moral obligation, like 我必须帮你 (wǒ bìxū bāng nǐ) 'I must help you.' 得 (děi) is more common in everyday speech for practical necessities. Also, 得 (děi) can express a strong likelihood, as in 他得五十岁了 (tā děi wǔshí suì le) 'He must be fifty years old,' but this lesson focuses on obligation.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你明天得上班吗？
Do you have to work tomorrow?nǐ míngtiān děi shàngbān ma是啊，我得上班。你呢？
Yes, I have to work. What about you?shì a, wǒ děi shàngbān. nǐ ne我不用上班，但我得去学校。
I don't have to work, but I have to go to school.wǒ bùyòng shàngbān, dàn wǒ děi qù xuéxiào哦，那你得早起。
Oh, then you have to get up early.ó, nà nǐ děi zǎo qǐA little context goes a long way
In Chinese culture, expressing obligation with 得 (děi) is common in everyday conversation. It often conveys a sense of practical necessity without sounding overly forceful. When you use 得 (děi), you imply that circumstances require the action, not that you are simply willing or forced. This can make your speech sound more natural and less confrontational. In formal writing or speeches, 必须 (bìxū) may be preferred for strong obligations, but in casual talk, 得 (děi) is more frequent. Also, note that 得 (děi) can sometimes sound a bit resigned, as if you have no choice. Use it appropriately to match the situation.
One thing to watch for
Learners often use 必须 (bìxū) for all obligations, saying 我必须工作 (wǒ bìxū gōngzuò) when they mean 'I have to work' due to a schedule.
Try this instead: Use 得 (děi) for external, practical obligations: 我得工作 (wǒ děi gōngzuò). Reserve 必须 (bìxū) for strong personal or moral obligations, like 我必须帮你 (wǒ bìxū bāng nǐ) 'I must help you.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'She has to study' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
她得学习。 (tā děi xuéxí)
得 (děi) is used for third person singular to express external obligation. 学习 (xuéxí) means 'to study'. This is the most natural way to express 'has to study'.
2What is the negative form of 我得工作 (wǒ děi gōngzuò)?
Show a sample answer
我不用工作。 (wǒ bùyòng gōngzuò)
The negative of 得 (děi) is typically 不用 (bùyòng), meaning 'don't have to'. 不 (bù) cannot directly negate 得 (děi) in this sense. So 不用工作 (bùyòng gōngzuò) is correct.
3Translate: 'We have to follow the rules.'
Show a sample answer
我们得遵守规则。 (wǒmen děi zūnshǒu guīzé)
Use 得 (děi) to show obligation from rules. 遵守 (zūnshǒu) means 'to follow', and 规则 (guīzé) means 'rules'. This sentence clearly expresses external obligation.
Use 得 (děi) for 'have to' and 'has to' when the obligation comes from outside circumstances. Remember that it never changes form, and its negative is 不用 (bùyòng). Practice with daily situations to master this useful modal verb.
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