French Conversation · Level 25
90 words
French word
devoir
Pronunciation
IPA/dəvwaʁ/
Meaning
- verbhave to
Example
Je dois partir maintenant.
I have to leave now.
More examples
Je dois étudier pour l'examen ce soir.
I must study for the exam tonight.
Core concept
A person carries a task as something owed, while an expected event appears strongly supported.
Common phrases
je dois + infinitif
I must + infinitive
tu dois + infinitif
you must + infinitive
nous devons + infinitif
we must + infinitive
Similar words
falloir: Being necessary without identifying the person who must act.
pouvoir: Having the ability or permission to do something.
vouloir: Having the wish or intention to do something.
avoir à: Having something to do later, in informal speech.
Definition in French
Exprimer l'obligation ou la nécessité de faire quelque chose, parfois employé pour indiquer une forte probabilité.
Word origin
French devoir comes from Old French deveir and Latin debere, meaning "to owe", and developed from owing something to expressing obligation and strong inference.
Usage tips
- For a personal obligation, devoir + infinitive is natural, while general necessity often uses il faut + infinitive.