French grammar
Tu dois, tu ne dois pas + infinitif
Give someone advice about their health.
From the scene Tu dois te reposer (You must rest)
In short
Firm advice: tu dois + infinitive. Tu ne dois pas = you mustn't; don't have to = tu n'es pas obligé de.
- you must rest tu dois te reposer
- you must drink tu dois boire
- you mustn't eat anything tu ne dois rien manger
- rest (noun) le repos
Your turn
Which one goes with you must drink?
Options: tu ne dois rien manger · tu dois boire · tu dois te reposer
Show answer
you must drink → tu dois boire
How it works
Devoir + infinitive gives firm advice to someone you call tu: tu dois te reposer (you must rest), tu dois boire (you must drink).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Madame Elena a raison. (blank) te reposer.
Clue: Nuria to Javi (tu)
Options: Tu dois · Vous devez · Ils doivent
Show answer
Madame Elena a raison. Tu dois te reposer.
Madame Elena is right. You must rest.
Good to know
Tu ne dois rien manger = you mustn't eat anything. For vous: vous devez.
you must rest tu dois te reposer
Nuria
Tu dois te reposer, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Javi.
Options: Tu dois te reposer · Tu dois boire · Tu ne dois rien manger
Show answer
Nuria
Tu dois te reposer, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
you must drink tu dois boire
Elena
Alors tu dois boire beaucoup d'eau.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Alors (blank) beaucoup d'eau.
Options: tu ne dois rien manger · tu dois boire · tu dois te reposer
Show answer
Elena
Alors tu dois boire beaucoup d'eau.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
you mustn't eat anything tu ne dois rien manger
Elena
Non, non. Tu ne dois rien manger aujourd'hui.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Non, non. (blank) aujourd'hui.
Options: Tu dois te reposer · Tu dois boire · Tu ne dois rien manger
Show answer
Elena
Non, non. Tu ne dois rien manger aujourd'hui.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
rest (noun) le repos
Your turn
What goes with le repos?
Options: you must drink · rest (noun) · you must rest
Show answer
le repos → rest (noun)
Watch out
Tu ne dois pas means 'you mustn't'; for 'you don't have to', say tu n'es pas obligé de.
Common mistake
Not doit or dois-je here. Nuria to Javi (tu).
Tu dois te reposer, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| you must rest | tu dois te reposer |
|---|---|
| you must drink | tu dois boire |
| you mustn't eat anything | tu ne dois rien manger |
| rest (noun) | le repos |
More lines from the story
- NuriaMadame Elena a raison. Tu dois te reposer.Madame Elena is right. You must rest.
- JaviD'accord... mais après je veux des tapas.OK... but later I want tapas.
- ElenaMon pauvre ! Qu'est-ce que tu as ?Oh, poor thing! What's wrong with you?