должен
Translation of должен
have to
Meaning of должен
Обязан сделать что-то, потому что так нужно или так требуют.
used to say that it is necessary for someone to do something
Transcription and pronunciation of должен
до́лжен
stress on the 1st syllable
- Transcription
- [ˈdoɫʐɨn]
- In Latin letters
- dolzhen
Traps and common mistakes
Вчера я должен работать or Вчера я должен был работать?
Вчера я должен был работать
Past obligation = должен был + verb
Don't say «Вчера я должен работать». For the past, add был: «Вчера я должен был работать».
Вчера я должен был работать допоздна.
Yesterday I had to work late.
Try translating it yourself
Translate these short sentences from English into Russian using the word you are learning. Then open one possible answer and compare it with yours. This is practice, not a test.
I have to get up early for work tomorrow.
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Завтра я должен рано встать на работу.
Do you have to wear a uniform at school?
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Вы должны носить форму в школе?
должен synonyms
What's the difference between должен, нужно, надо, приходится, and обязан
Same idea, but a different pattern: мне нужно + verb.
Same as нужно, a bit more colloquial: мне надо + verb.
You have to because circumstances force you, often unwillingly.
Stronger and more formal: a legal or official duty.
Related words and lists for должен
Questions about this word
What does должен mean?
used to say that it is necessary for someone to do something
How do you pronounce должен?
должен is pronounced [ˈdoɫʐɨn], in Latin letters “dolzhen”.
How is должен used in a sentence?
I have to get up early for work tomorrow. Translation: Завтра я должен рано встать на работу.
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