Devoir – to owe, must, out, to have to
Devoir is one of the most common French verbs. It is irregular in conjugation and has a number of different meanings.
The basic meaning of devoir is “to owe”.
- Qu’est-ce que je vous dois? – What do I owe you?
It is also used to express obligation – with a following infinitive. The conditional tense is more mild and more polite than the present tense.
- Je dois partir tout de suite. – I must leave at once.
- Vous devriez la voir avant de partir. – You must see her before leaving.
Devoir also expresses supposition, inference, and probability.
- Vous devriez être fatigué après votre voyage. You must be/probably are tired after your trip.
- Il doit être malade. – He must be/probably is sick.
Translating devoir
Devoir can be translated by should, must, ought to, have to, supposed to – the distinction between necessity and probability is not always clear.
- Je dois faire le lessive. – I should/must/ought to do the laundry.
- Il doit arriver demain. – He supposed to/should arrive tomorrow.
To specify “must” rather than “should”, add a word like absolument or vraiment.
- Je dois absolument partir. – I really must go.
- Nous devons vraiment te parler. – We must speak to you.
To specify “should” rather than “must”, use the conditional tense.
- Tu devrais partir. – You should go.
- Ils devraient lui parler. – They should talk to him.
Devoir bonus!
Devoir is a masculine noun meaning “duty” (le devoir), or “duties” (les devoirs). “Les devoirs” is also homework. (Je dois faire les devoirs. – I should do homework.)
Have a great week, readers! Please feel free to leave a comment or request a lesson. 🙂
À bientôt !
Courtney
Learn French Avec Moi 