Spanish grammar
Debes, no debes + infinitive
Give someone advice about their health.
From the scene Debes descansar (You must rest)
In short
Give firm advice with debes + infinitive; no debes says what not to do. To usted, say debe.
- you must rest debes descansar
- you must drink debes beber
- you mustn't eat no debes comer
- rest (noun) el reposo
Your turn
Which one goes with you must drink?
Options: no debes comer · debes beber · debes descansar
Show answer
you must drink → debes beber
How it works
Debes (you must / you should) + infinitive gives firm advice to someone you call tú.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Doña Elena tiene razón. (blank) descansar.
Clue: Nuria to Javi (tú)
Options: Debe · Deben · Debes
Show answer
Doña Elena tiene razón. Debes descansar.
Doña Elena is right. You must rest.
Good to know
No debes + infinitive says what they mustn't do. For usted: debe.
you must rest debes descansar
Nuria
Debes descansar, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Javi.
Options: No debes comer · Debes descansar · Debes beber
Show answer
Nuria
Debes descansar, Javi.
You must rest, Javi.
you must drink debes beber
Elena
Pues debes beber mucha agua.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Pues (blank) mucha agua.
Options: debes descansar · no debes comer · debes beber
Show answer
Elena
Pues debes beber mucha agua.
Well, you must drink a lot of water.
you mustn't eat no debes comer
Elena
No, no. No debes comer nada hoy.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, no. (blank) nada hoy.
Options: Debes descansar · Debes beber · No debes comer
Show answer
Elena
No, no. No debes comer nada hoy.
No, no. You mustn't eat anything today.
rest (noun) el reposo
Your turn
What goes with el reposo?
Options: you must drink · rest (noun) · you must rest
Show answer
el reposo → rest (noun)
Common mistake
Not Debe or Debo here. Nuria to Javi (tú).
Debes descansar, 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 | debes descansar |
|---|---|
| you must drink | debes beber |
| you mustn't eat | no debes comer |
| rest (noun) | el reposo |
More lines from the story
- NuriaDoña Elena tiene razón. Debes descansar.Doña Elena is right. You must rest.
- JaviVale... pero luego quiero tapas.OK... but later I want tapas.
- JaviEstoy fatal. No puedo más.I feel awful. I can't take any more.