必须 bì xū
“to have to; must; compulsory”
adverbHSK 3 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 必須
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
必须 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 525: 必须 bìxū — Level 3; official annotation 3 (副). PDF page 93
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 必须
必须 means "have to" or "must" and expresses a strong obligation. It is an adverb placed before the verb: subject + 必须 + verb. It does not have a normal negative form with 不; use 不必 or 不用 for "don't have to."
例句Example sentences
- 我明天必须早起。wǒ míng tiān bì xū zǎo qǐ.I have to get up early tomorrow.
- 你必须先洗手再吃饭。nǐ bì xū xiān xǐ shǒu zài chī fàn.You must wash your hands before eating.
- 我们必须在十点以前到学校。wǒ men bì xū zài shí diǎn yǐ qián dào xué xiào.We have to get to school before ten.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我不必须去。
✓我不必去。
必须 does not take 不 to mean "don't have to"; use 不必 or 不用.