wǒmen yīnggāi ànshí huídào sùshè.

We should return to the dorm on time.

Breakdown of wǒmen yīnggāi ànshí huídào sùshè.

• 我们wǒmen: we
• 应该yīnggāi: should
• 宿舍sùshè: dormitory
• 按时ànshí: on time

Questions & Answers about wǒmen yīnggāi ànshí huídào sùshè.

Why does the sentence use 应该? Could we also say 要 or 得 here, and what’s the difference?

应该 means “should / ought to” and expresses a recommendation or reasonable expectation, not a very strong obligation.

• 我们应该按时回到宿舍。
  → We should go back to the dorm on time. (It’s advisable / expected.)

Compare:

• 要: stronger, often “must” or “going to”

  • 我们要按时回到宿舍。
    → We must / have to go back to the dorm on time. (Sounds more like a rule or fixed plan.)

• 得: also “have to / must”, often used in speech for necessity

  • 我们得按时回到宿舍。
    → We have to go back to the dorm on time. (Necessity, maybe because of rules.)

So:

• 应该 = should / ought to (softer)
• 要 / 得 = have to / must (stronger obligation)
  All three are grammatically possible; which you choose depends on how strong you want the obligation to sound.

---

Why do we say 回到宿舍 instead of just 回宿舍? Is there a difference?