得 (děi): must, have to
能愿动词 / modal verbs
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
Subject + 得 (děi) + Verb
Pronounced děi, 得 is a very colloquial modal verb expressing necessity: "have to", "must".
It's the same character as the 得 (de) of the degree complement, but with a different meaning and sound: here it goes before the verb.
Watch the negative: never say 不得 (děi) for this meaning. For "no need to", use 不用.
Examples
你发烧了，得去医院。
Nǐ fāshāo le, děi qù yīyuàn.You have a fever, you need to go to the hospital.
太晚了，我得走了。
Tài wǎn le, wǒ děi zǒu le.It's too late, I've got to go.
这个药一天得吃三次。
Zhège yào yì tiān děi chī sān cì.This medicine has to be taken three times a day.
A：我得带护照吗？B：不用。
A: Wǒ děi dài hùzhào ma? B: Búyòng.A: Do I have to bring my passport? B: No need.
Common mistakes
✗ 你不得去 (for "you don't have to go") → ✓ 你不用去.
Don't pronounce it "de" here: 我děi走了.