The Conditional Mood of deber is used to express what should or ought to happen in a hypothetical situation, for example: Deberías estudiar más para aprobar el examen. (You should study more to pass the exam.)

Deber is a regular verb in Spanish, meaning its conjugations follow the typical pattern for -er verbs in the Conditional Mood.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Deber (should/ought to) in the Conditional Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The Conditional (Indicative) of deber is used to express probability, conjecture, or deduction about a hypothetical situation in the present or future.

Probability/Conjecture: For example, Deben estar en casa a esta hora. (They should be at home at this hour.) This expresses the likelihood or assumption that they are home based on the current circumstances.

Deduction: For example, Con tanto ruido, deben estar teniendo una fiesta. (With so much noise, they must be having a party.) This deduces a conclusion based on the evidence of the noise.

Obligation/Advice (colloquial): For example, Debes estudiar más si quieres aprobar. (You should study more if you want to pass.) This suggests an advisable course of action, though the primary meaning is probability.

Slang/Idiomatic: ¿Qué debo hacer? (What should I do?) Can express exasperation or seeking advice. Debes estar bromeando. (You must be joking.) Expresses disbelief or skepticism.

Examples

Examples of Deber in the Conditional Mood

Si deberías tomar un taxi o caminar, depende de la distancia. (Whether you should take a taxi or walk depends on the distance.)

Deberíamos reciclar más para cuidar el medio ambiente. (We should recycle more to protect the environment.)

Aunque no es obligatorio, deberías probar la comida típica cuando viajas. (Although it’s not mandatory, you should try the typical food when traveling.)

Para mantener una buena salud, deberías hacer ejercicio regularmente. (To maintain good health, you should exercise regularly.)

En una reunión importante, deberías prestar atención y tomar notas. (In an important meeting, you should pay attention and take notes.)

Deberían ahorrar dinero para el futuro, en vez de gastarlo todo. (They should save money for the future, instead of spending it all.)

Antes de viajar al extranjero, deberías aprender algunas frases básicas del idioma local. (Before traveling abroad, you should learn some basic phrases in the local language.)

Para tener éxito en tu carrera, deberías seguir aprendiendo y capacitándote. (To be successful in your career, you should keep learning and training.)

Aunque es difícil, deberíamos ser más pacientes con los demás. (Although it’s difficult, we should be more patient with others.)

En una emergencia, deberías mantener la calma y seguir las instrucciones. (In an emergency, you should remain calm and follow the instructions.)

Deberían pasar más tiempo en familia, en vez de trabajar tanto. (They should spend more time with family, instead of working so much.)

Para mejorar tu español, deberías practicar con hablantes nativos. (To improve your Spanish, you should practice with native speakers.)

Aunque es caro, deberías invertir en tu educación para tener un mejor futuro. (Although it’s expensive, you should invest in your education to have a better future.)

Cuando conduces, deberías obedecer todas las señales de tránsito. (When driving, you should obey all traffic signs.)

Para mantenerte informado, deberías leer las noticias regularmente. (To stay informed, you should read the news regularly.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Deber (should/ought to) in the Conditional Mood tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Conditional mood is also known as the Simple Conditional, Conditional Simple, Would Tense, or Future of the Past in English, and as Condicional Simple, Pospretérito, Potencial Simple, or Condicional de Indicativo in Spanish.