Questions & Answers about Nǐ jīntiān děi kàn wán zhè běn shū ma?
What does the modal 得 (děi) mean here, and how is it different from 要, 必须, 需要, and 应该?
- 得 (děi): have to/must (colloquial, often due to external requirement or schedule). Example: 我得走了 (I have to go).
- 要: need to/want to/be going to. In 你今天要看完…吗？, it can mean plan or requirement; context decides.
- 必须: must (strong, formal or emphatic). 你今天必须把这本书看完吗？ sounds quite firm.
- 需要: need to (neutral, matter-of-fact). 你今天需要看完…吗？ is gentler/polite.
- 应该: should/ought to (recommendation, not obligation). 你今天应该看完…吗？ asks about what’s advisable, not required.
In everyday speech, 得/要/需要 are the common choices for this kind of question; 必须 is stronger/formal; 应该 softens to a suggestion.
How do I pronounce this 得, and how do I tell it from the other three “de’s” (的 / 得 / 地)?
- 得 (děi) (3rd tone): modal meaning must/have to. Example: 你得去.
- 的 (de) (neutral tone): attributive/possessive. Example: 我的书.
- 地 (de) (neutral tone): links adverbial to verb. Example: 认真地看 (read carefully).
- 得 (de) (neutral tone after verbs): complement of degree/potential. Example: 看得很快 (read quickly).
Position helps: modal 得 (děi) comes before the verb (你得看…), while complement 得 (de) follows the verb (看得…).
Why use 看完 instead of just 看?