HSK 5
Correct
应该 vs 该
/ yīnɡɡāi vs ɡāi /
Strokes
Formula
1
该 ( + 有/是) + 多（多么） + Verb/Adjective + 啊
2
该 + Somebody
3
该+ Monosyllabic Verb
Definition
应该 and 该 are Auxiliary Verbs (助动词) or Optative Verbs (能愿动词), has the meaning of "should", to indicate the reason for somebody to do something.
应该 is used to indicate "the fact is that..."
该 has four different meanings with two levels:
Elementary (HSK 3):
1, To indicate that somebody makes an inference about he is sure something based on certain facts.
Intermediate (HSK 5):
2, 该 ( + 有/是) + 多（多么） + Verb/Adjective (make an exclamation)
3, 该 + somebody ( It's your turn.)
4, 该 + Monosyllabic Verb (该打, 该骂 means one deserves to be punished due to his mistake)
应该 HSK 3
Example
应该 or 该 can be used interchangeably to indicate it stands to reason for some-body to do something. (Elementary Level)
1
Zhè
这
jiàn
件
shì
事
shì
是
wǒmen
我们
cuò
错
le
了
,
wǒmen
我们
yīnggāi
应该
(
gāi
该
)
dàoqiàn
道歉
。
It is our fault that we should apologize.
2
Tā
他
shēngbìng
生病
le
了
,
wǒmen
我们
yīnggāi
应该
(
gāi
该
)
qù
去
kànkan
看看
tā
他
。
He is ill, we should go and see him.
3
Nǐ
你
yīnggāi
应该
(
gāi
该
)
wèn
问
tā
他
zhège
这个
wèntí
问题
。
You should ask him this question.
该 is used to indicate that somebody makes an inference, about which he/she is pretty sure based on certain facts.
4
Rúguǒ
如果
nǐ
你
zhèyàng
这样
zuò
做
,
nǐ
你
mā
妈
gāi
该
shēngqì
生气
le
了
。
If you do this, your mother will be angry.
5
Nǐ
你
zàibù
再不
nǔlì
努力
,
kǎoshì
考试
gāi
该
bù
不
jígé
及格
le
了
。
If you don't work hard, you'll fail the exam.
该 is used in the structure “该 ( + 有/是) + 多（多么）+ Verb/Adjective + 啊", to make an exclamation.
该 ( + 有/是) + 多（多么） + Verb/Adjective + 啊
6
Yàoshi
要是
māma
妈妈
liǎng
两
nián
年
jiàn
见
bù
不
dào
到
wǒ
我
,
tā
他
gāi
该
yǒu
有
duō
多
xiǎng
想
wǒ
我
ā
啊
。
If mom hadn't seen me for two years, he would have missed me.
7
Xiànzài
现在
yàoshi
要是
yǒu
有
kuài
块
miànbāo
面包
chī
吃
,
nā
那
gāi
该
yǒu
有
duō
多
hǎo
好
ā
啊
。
It would be nice to have a loaf of bread now.
该 is used in the structure "该 + somebody", to means "it is somebody's turn to do something".
该 + Somebody
8
Xiànzài
现在
gāi
该
nǐ
你
biǎoyǎn
表演
le
了
。
It's your turn now.
9
Zhège
这个
xīngqī
星期
gāi
该
nǐ
你
zuòfàn
做饭
le
了
。
It's your turn to cook this week.
该 is used in the structure "该 + Monosyllabic Verb", such as 骂, 打, 揍 or 杀, means "one deserves to be punished due to his or her mistake or some other reasons".
It is often used in oral Chinese.
该+ Monosyllabic Verb
10
Wǒ
我
fàn
犯
le
了
zhème
这么
dà
大
de
的
cuòwù
错误
,
zhēnshi
真是
gāisǐ
该死
。
I'm damned if I made such a big mistake.
11
Zhèxiē
这些
pòhuài
破坏
liángshi
粮食
de
的
hàichóng
害虫
zhēn
真
gāi
该
shā
杀
。
These food-destroying pests deserve to be killed.
该 is used to express owe (money/things) to.
12
Wǒ
我
gāi
该
nǐ
你
de
的
qián
钱
,
xiàyuè
下月
yīdìng
一定
hái
还
。
I am likely to repay you the money I owed next month.
13
Zhèbǐ
这笔
qián
钱
,
tā
他
gāi
该
le
了
wǒ
我
bàn
半
nián
年
le
了
。
The money is owed by him for half a year.
14
Wǒ
我
gāi
该
biānjíbù
编辑部
yī
一
piān
篇
gǎozi
稿子
。
I haven't finished a manuscript of the editorial department.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with 应该 or 该:
1. 北京的冬天很冷，所以你去北京读书（ ）多带点儿衣服。
2. 这幅画（ ）是香山公园，不是你说的植物园。
3. 快点儿，火车三点开，太慢了（ ）赶不上了。
4. 如果他这次比赛又输了，（ ）多难受啊！
5. 因为你又说错话了，所以（ ）罚！
6. （ ）是这幅画得了一等奖吧？
7. 现在比分是5:1，这次我们又（ ）输了。
8. 如果现在能够和妈妈分享这份快乐，（ ）多好！