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Usages of děi
今天 我 得 先 去 银行。Jīntiān wǒ děi xiān qù yínháng.
Today I must go to the bank first.
我 得 把 工作 做 完。Wǒ děi bǎ gōngzuò zuò wán.
I have to finish the work.
你 今天 得 看 完 这 本 书 吗?Nǐ jīntiān děi kàn wán zhè běn shū ma?
Do you have to finish reading this book today?
你 得 先 吃 完 早饭, 再 去 银行。Nǐ děi xiān chī wán zǎofàn, zài qù yínháng.
You must finish breakfast first, then go to the bank.
你 上班 得 穿 蓝色 的 衣服 吗?Nǐ shàngbān děi chuān lánsè de yīfu ma?
Do you have to wear blue clothes to work?
我们 下个 星期 有 中文 考试, 我 得 好好 准备。Wǒmen xiàge xīngqī yǒu zhōngwén kǎoshì, wǒ děi hǎohāo zhǔnbèi.
We have a Chinese exam next week; I have to prepare well.
老师 说 我们 得 好好 做 这些 练习。lǎoshī shuō wǒmen děi hǎohāo zuò zhèxiē liànxí.
The teacher said we must do these exercises carefully.
周末 在 家 吃饭 的 时候, 我们 常常 用 很多 碗, 所以 吃完 以后 得 一起 洗 碗。zhōumò zài jiā chīfàn de shíhou, wǒmen chángcháng yòng hěnduō wǎn, suǒyǐ chīwán yǐhòu děi yìqǐ xǐ wǎn.
When we eat at home on weekends, we often use many bowls, so after eating we have to wash them together.
如果 你 想 考好 明天 的 中文 考试, 就 得 现在 认真 复习。rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng kǎohǎo míngtiān de zhōngwén kǎoshì, jiù děi xiànzài rènzhēn fùxí.
If you want to do well on tomorrow’s Chinese exam, you must review carefully now.
Test yourself: What does děi mean?
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