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Conjugation Chart of “Deber” (to have to, must) in the Subjunctive Mood

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Understanding the Subjunctive Mood of “Deber”

The Subjunctive Mood of Deber is used to express doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty about an action or event, for example: Es importante que debas estudiar más. (It’s important that you should study more.)

Deber is a regular -er verb, so its conjugations in the Present Subjunctive follow the regular pattern by dropping the -o from the yo form of the present tense and adding the corresponding subjunctive endings.

How to Use Deber in the Subjunctive Mood

Deber generally means “to owe” or “must”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

Obligation/Duty: Expresses that something is required or obligatory, for example, Debo que me pagues lo que me debes (I must that you pay me what you owe me).

Recommendation: Suggests that something is advisable or recommended, for example, Debes que comas más frutas y verduras (You should eat more fruits and vegetables).

Probability: Indicates likelihood or probability, for example, Deben de estar en casa a esta hora (They must be at home at this hour).

Conjecture: Expresses a guess or supposition, for example, Debe de ser muy rico para tener esa casa (He must be very rich to have that house).

Impersonal Expressions: Used in impersonal expressions to convey an opinion or judgment, for example, Debe que sea una broma (It must be a joke).

Colloquial Usage: In informal contexts, it can express annoyance or impatience, for example, ¡Debes que te calles de una vez! (You must shut up once and for all!).

Real Life Examples of Deber in the Subjunctive Mood

Para que la fiesta sea un éxito, debamos planificarla con anticipación. (For the party to be a success, we must plan it in advance.)

Es importante que debas estudiar mucho para aprobar el examen. (It’s important that you must study a lot to pass the exam.)

Ojalá que debamos viajar más el próximo año. (I hope we must travel more next year.)

Mamá dice que debas comer más verduras. (Mom says you must eat more vegetables.)

Quizás deban considerar otras opciones. (Perhaps they must consider other options.)

El entrenador recomienda que debamos hacer más ejercicios de resistencia. (The coach recommends that we must do more endurance exercises.)

Es fundamental que debas ser puntual en tu nuevo trabajo. (It’s essential that you must be punctual at your new job.)

Tal vez deban pedir ayuda profesional. (Maybe they must seek professional help.)

El médico sugiere que debamos hacer cambios en nuestra dieta. (The doctor suggests that we must make changes to our diet.)

Aunque cueste, debáis esforzaros al máximo. (Even though it’s difficult, you must give your best effort.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Deber (to have to, must) in the Subjunctive Mood (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.