应该 (yīnggāi)

A modal verb expressing what is expected, appropriate, or right to do — translating as "should" or "ought to." Key contrasts: 应该 = should (moral/practical expectation), 要 = need to / going to (intention or necessity), 必须 = must (strict obligation).

Meanings

[modal verb] Should, ought to (expressing expectation or moral/practical appropriateness).

Example Sentences

你应该早点睡觉。 Nǐ yīnggāi zǎo diǎn shuìjiào. You should go to sleep earlier.

我们应该帮助有困难的人。 Wǒmen yīnggāi bāngzhù yǒu kùnnán de rén. We should help people in difficulty.

你应该说对不起。 Nǐ yīnggāi shuō duìbuqǐ. You should say sorry.

这么晚了，他应该到了吧。 Zhème wǎn le, tā yīnggāi dào le ba. It is so late. He should have arrived by now.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
应该…了	should have done by now
不应该	should not, ought not to
应该怎么做	what one should do
应该注意	should pay attention to
本来应该	originally should have

Memory Hook

应 means to respond and 该 means what is due: 应该 is what your situation calls for — the response that is due, what you should do.