Ar trebui să termin raportul până mâine.

I should finish the report by tomorrow.

Breakdown of Ar trebui să termin raportul până mâine.

• mâine: tomorrow
• a termina: to finish
• raportul: the report
• a trebui: should

Questions & Answers about Ar trebui să termin raportul până mâine.

What does ar trebui să mean in this sentence?

Ar trebui să means something like should or ought to.

So:

• Ar trebui să termin raportul până mâine.
• = I should finish the report by tomorrow.

It expresses a recommendation, expectation, or mild obligation, not a very strong command.

Why is it ar trebui and not just trebuie?

The difference is mainly strength and nuance:

• Trebuie să termin raportul până mâine = I must / have to finish the report by tomorrow
• Ar trebui să termin raportul până mâine = I should finish the report by tomorrow

So trebuie is stronger and more direct, while ar trebui is softer.

Grammatically, ar trebui is a conditional form that often gives the meaning of should.

Why is there a să after ar trebui?