Chinese word

应当

Pronunciation

Pinyinyīng dāng

Meaning

  • auxiliary verbshould

Example

你应当早点休息。nǐ yīng dāng záo diǎn xiū xī

You should go to bed earlier.

Illustration for 应当 (should)

More examples

学生应当遵守学校的规章。xué shēng yīng dāng zūn shǒu xué xiào de guī zhāng

Students should obey the school's rules.

Core concept

A bridge from circumstances to the action they make proper, with a clear sense of expected conduct.

Common phrases

  • 应当遵守yīng dāng zūn shǒu

    should obey

  • 应当尊重yīng dāng zūn zhòng

    should respect

  • 应当承担责任yīng dāng chéng dān zé rèn

    should take responsibility

Similar words

应该yīng gāi: Shows that an action naturally follows from reason, common sense, or what is generally right.
必须bì xū: Shows that an action cannot be left undone because of a rule or strong necessity.

Definition in Chinese

作为助动词，表示说话人或客观情况认为某行为是应履行的义务或合理做法，带有规范性和正式感。zuò wéi zhù dòng cí biǎo shì shuō huà rén huò kè guān qíng kuàng rèn wéi mǒu xíng wéi shì yīng lǚ xíng de yì wù huò hé lǐ zuò fǎ dài yǒu guī fàn xìng hé zhèng shì gǎn

Word origin

应 (yīng, "be fitting") + 当 (dāng, "be appropriate") gives the compound a transparent formation centered on suitability and proper conduct.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word sounds more formal than common alternatives for the same function, so it appears especially often in careful speech, writing, and advice.

Other meanings

  • ought toauxiliary verb

Opposites

  • 不应该bù yīng gāishould notauxiliary verb

Word lists with this word