to owe; must, should
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Debes tomar mucha agua con este calor.
You should drink a lot of water in this heat.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
El profesor debió explicar mejor el tema.
The teacher should have explained the topic better.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Yo debía llegar a las ocho, pero la guagua se rompió.
I was supposed to arrive at eight, but the bus broke down.
Futuro · What will happen
Los estudiantes deberán entregar la tarea el lunes.
The students must turn in the homework on Monday.
Condicional · What would happen
Deberíamos llamar a mamá esta noche.
We should call Mom tonight.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
He debido pagar más impuestos este año.
I've had to pay more taxes this year.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Rarely used with this verb.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Rarely used with this verb.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Habrías debido avisarme antes.
You should have told me sooner.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Es posible que deban esperar un poco.
They may have to wait a little.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
No creía que debiera pagar tanto.
I didn't think I should have to pay so much.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Dudaba que debiésemos salir con esa tormenta.
I doubted we should go out in that storm.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Rarely used with this verb.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Rarely used with this verb.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Rarely used with this verb.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
Rarely used with this verb.