Improve your French wherever you are in the world with our online courses

Devoir and its many facets

The verb « devoir » = to must, to have

The verb “devoir” is an irregular verb with various meanings.

Je dois
Tu dois
Il/elle doit
Nous devons
Vous devez
Ils/ells doivent

1^st meaning : the notion of debt in the literal and figurative meanings :

Combien est-ce que je vous dois? = How much do I owe you ?
Elle me doit 1000€ ? = She owes me a thousand euros.
Je vous dois quelque chose ? = Do I owe you anything ?
Il doit sa vie à son chirurgien = He owes his life to his surgeon

2^nd meaning : devoir as an obligation

Vous devez assister à la réunion = you must attend the meeting
L’enfant doit obéir à ses parents = The child must obey his parents
Vous ne devez pas y aller = You must not go there

3rd meaning : devoir as a probability

L’avion doit atterrir à 10h = the plane is supposed to land at 10 O’clock
Son livre doit sortir la semaine prochaine = Her book is supposed to be published next week.

The voice intonation will often determine if devoir implies an obligation or a probability.

For example : il doit venir ce soir = il could mean : he is supposed to come tonight or He must come tonight. So pay attention to the intonation and the gestures.

Devoir in the conditional is used as a warning or a suggestion. It takes the meaning of should.

Je devrais
Tu devrais
Il devrait
Nous devrions
Vous devriez
Elles devraient
Example : Tu ne devrais pas lui prêter d’argent = You should not lend him any money
Elles devraient apprendre une langue étrangère = They should learn a foreign language.

Now you’re ready to practice !

December 1st, 2025
Activities Grammar for Dummies

The Best Resources to Learn French: Books, Films, Podcasts, and More

Learning French isn’t just about memorising grammar or vocabulary — it’s about immersing yourself in the language through stories, voices, culture, and everyday expressions. The best way to progress is to combine different types of input, such as reading, listening, watching, and engaging with short-form content. Variety is key: mix…

November 20th, 2025
Grammar for Dummies

Celebrating International French Teachers Day

Every year, International French Teachers Day gives us a chance to celebrate the amazing people who teach French around the world. These teachers do so much more than teach grammar or vocabulary — they share culture, spark curiosity, and help learners build connections across communities. It’s a day to recognise…

October 29th, 2024
Grammar for Dummies

Les Salutations: Greetings in French

If you’re venturing into the world of the French language, one of the first things you’ll want to learn is how to greet people. Greetings are essential in any language; they set the tone for interactions and help you make a good first impression. In this blog, we’ll explore greetings,…

December 12th, 2021
Grammar for Dummies

Christmas in France – What to expect

Just like everywhere else in the world, Father Christmas (known as Père Noël or Papa Noël in France) brings gifts to children who have been well-behaved on Christmas Day. The sapin de Noël (Christmas tree) is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, and offices. On le Réveillon (Christmas Eve),…