Grammar Point:
In Chinese grammar, the term 应该 yīnggāi is used to express “should” or “ought to” in a general sense. It indicates what is considered the proper or expected course of action.
Structure
S + 应该 + V + O
The term 应该 yīnggāi can be shortened to just 该 gāi while still conveying a similar meaning. The shortened form 该 gāi is more commonly used in written Chinese or formal contexts, whereas 应该 yīnggāi is more commonly used in spoken language.
你應該知道我不喜歡你吧你应该知道我不喜欢你吧
You should know that I don’t like you.
我們應該少吃垃圾食物我们应该少吃垃圾食品
We should eat less junk food.
你看起來快死了,真的應該去看醫生你看起来快死了,真的应该去看医生
YYou look like you’re about to die. You really should go see a doctor.
孩子該多運動孩子该多运动
Children should engage in more physical activity.
Negation
To form the negative form of 应该 yīnggāi, you can add 不 bù before 应该 yīnggāi.
你不應該答應他你不应该答应他
You shouldn’t have agreed to him.
她不應該遲到她不应该迟到
She shouldn’t be late.
孩子不該晚上剪指甲孩子不该晚上剪指甲
Children shouldn’t cut their nails at night.
FYI
In Chinese culture, there is a belief or superstition that cutting nails at night is considered unlucky or inauspicious.
According to Feng Shui, it is strongly advised not to cut a child’s nails at night if they haven’t reached the age of 12 or completed a full cycle of the Chinese zodiac signs. It is believed that doing so can easily result in the loss of the child’s spiritual essence or vitality. Similarly, it is generally recommended for adults to avoid cutting their nails late at night as well. It is believed that doing so may affect emotions, health, or even invite financial loss. This caution is especially emphasized after 11 p.m….but who cuts their nails at midnight.🙄
Question
他應該怎麼回答這個問題?他应该怎么回答这个问题?
How should he answer this question?
我應不應該放棄學中文?我应不应该放弃学中文?
Should I give up learning Chinese?
這個的中文應該怎麼說?这个的中文应该怎么说?
How should I say this in Chinese?
(How do you say this in Chinese?)
我該休息一天嗎?我该休息一天吗?
Should I take a day off?
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ You should click on an ad and then watch it for 30 seconds.
你應該點一個廣告,然後看30秒你应该点一个广告,然后看30秒
✔️ So I should be able to receive $0.01 from google ad.
這樣我應該可以從google ad收到0.01塊美金这样我应该可以从google ad收到0.01块美金
✔️ I shouldn’t be making money from this, but…
我不應該靠這個賺錢,但是…我不应该靠这个挣钱,但是…