French grammar - To have to or must - the verb devoir |
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The verb devoir means 'to have to' or 'must be'. It is a very common auxiliary. Devoir has three meanings: (i) requirement as in 'to be required to do'; (ii) supposition as in 'to probably be doing' or 'must be doing'; and (iii) debt or obligation as in 'to owe' someone something. -- The first two are very similar to the word 'must' in English. For example 'He must work' (requirement) and 'He must be working late' (supposition). It is an irregular -IR verb that conjugates in the present tense as follows: • je dois • tu dois • il & elle doit • nous devons • vous devez • ils & elle doivent |
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Je dois aller à l'école.
I have to go to school. |
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Tu dois manger ton dîner.
You (familiar) have to eat your dinner. |
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Il doit travailler tard le soir.
He must work late at night. |
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Ta chambre doit toujours être en ordre.
Your (familiar) room should always be in order.
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Nous devons faire le ménage.
We have to do the housework. |
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Devez-vous payer cette amende cette semaine ?
Do you (formal) have to pay that fine this week? |
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Ils doivent faire leurs devoirs maintenant.
They have to do their homework now. |
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Tu dois être fatigué.
You (familiar) must be tired. |
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Il doit travailler tard.
He must be working late. |
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Le nouveau bureau doit ouvrir bientôt.
The new office must be opening soon. |
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Ça doit être le facteur.
Must be the postman.
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Je dois huit euros à mon ami.
I owe my friend eight euros.
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Pourquoi lui dois-tu de l'argent ?
Why do you (familiar) owe him money? |
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Vous me devez une explication !
You (formal) owe me an explanation!
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Je me dois des vacances après tout ça.
I owe myself a vacation after all that. |
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Ils te doivent bien ça.
They (certainly) owe you (familiar) that. |
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