Understanding ‘Should Have’ in Spanish: Debería vs. Debería Haber

When it comes to expressing past obligations or actions that didn't happen, the phrase ‘should have’ in English can be tricky to translate into Spanish. The prefixes ‘debería’ and ‘debería haber’ are commonly used, but they serve different purposes and are often misunderstood. This guide aims to provide clarity on their proper usage and provide examples to help you master this Spanish construction.

Introduction to ‘Debería’ and ‘Debería Haber’

To start, it's important to understand the basic forms of the verb ‘haber’ and their proper usage in Spanish:

There is hay

There was había

There has been ha habido

There would be habría

There would have been habría habido

There should be debería haber

There should have been debería haber habido

Note: These forms can be used to express future in the past as well, depending on the context.

Usage of ‘Debería’

The form ‘debería’ is used when expressing what you think someone should do or what they ought to do. It often conveys a sense of advice, recommendation, or obligation, but it is not for regret or for expressing that something did not happen in the past.

Examples of ‘Debería’

1. You should have an umbrella for these rainy days.

You should have a car for commuting.

2. ‘Debería tener’ and ‘Deberías tener’

If it’s related to a single person: You should have gone to that party (Debí haber ido a esa fiesta).

If it’s plural: We should have studied properly for that exam (Debimos haber estudiado más para ese examen).

3. The form is used to express obligation or advice and not regret for an action in the past.

Usage of ‘Debería Haber’

‘Debería haber’ is used to express regret for actions that did not happen in the past. It can be seen as a more regretful tone compared to ‘debería’ which is more of a recommendation or obligation. It is often used to express the idea of ‘should have done’ or ‘ought to have done’.

Examples of ‘Debería Haber’

1. I should have gotten gas earlier.

2. I should have told her the truth.

3. The correct translation examples are:

Yo debería haber echado gasolina antes. Yo tendría que haber echado gasolina antes. Yo debía haber echado gasolina antes. Yo debí haber echado gasolina antes.

Note: It is erroneous to translate as ‘Yo tuve que haber echado gasolina antes’ or ‘Yo tuve que haberle dicho la verdad’ in these specific contexts.

Vocabulary and Context

Understanding the nuances of these sentences can be crucial in Spanish. Here’s a quick recap:

Debería de: To owe - You owe me nothing No me debes nada.

Ella debe de ser muy rica. She must be very rich.

Deber de: To owe and probability - She must be very rich (using ‘debe de’).

Deber: To owe - You owe me ten euros Te debo diez euros.

To have to or to have got to - We must go now/tomorrow Debemos marcharnos ahora/ma?ana.

Deber: Should/ought to for past obligation - You should have gotten gas earlier Yo debía haber echado gasolina antes.

Conclusion

Mastering the correct usage of ‘debería’ and ‘debería haber’ is crucial for fluent and accurate Spanish communication. It's essential to understand the context and tone of the sentence to use these forms correctly. Whether you are expressing regret, advice, or obligation, the correct form of the verb will ensure your message is conveyed precisely.

Practice Sentences

1. You should have gone to the party.

2. We should have studied for the exam.

3. I should have told her the truth.

4. You owe me nothing.

5. She must be very rich.

6. We must go now/tomorrow.