应该 yīng gāi
“ought to; should; must”
verbHSK 3 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 應該
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
应该 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 939: 应该 yīnggāi — Level 3; official annotation 3 (动). PDF page 103
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 应该
应该 means "ought to" or "should." It is used before a verb or adjective to give advice, say what is proper, or express a likely expectation. The common pattern is Subject + 应该 + verb/adjective (+ object).
例句Example sentences
- 你应该早点睡觉。nǐ yīng gāi zǎo diǎn shuì jiào.You should go to bed earlier.
- 明天天气应该会很好。míng tiān tiān qì yīng gāi huì hěn hǎo.The weather should be nice tomorrow.
- 这个问题你应该问老师。zhè ge wèn tí nǐ yīng gāi wèn lǎo shī.You should ask the teacher about this question.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗你应该不去。
✓你不应该去。
To say "should not," put 不 before 应该, not after it.
易混词Easily confused
应该vs必须
应该 means "should/ought to" and gives advice; 必须 means "must" and expresses strong obligation, so they are not interchangeable.