debi di – must, have to

To express obligation as in to say that we must or have to do something, we use the phrase debi di, which is a borrowed expression from Spanish. Debi di can also be used for expectation. In either case, we treat debi di as if it was a modal verb which never changes and almost always starts off the sentence.

MODELU:     debi di   +   future phrase

The following describe how to use debi di.

debi di – must, have to (obligation)

I maolek na estudiante debi di  u fanestudia kada dia, hånao para i klas-ña yan cho’gue i che’cho’-ña.
The good student must study every day, go to his class and do his work.

Debi di bai hu falak i post office pa’go sa’ mahuchom agupa’.
I have to go the post office today, because it is closed tomorrow.

Debi di un famaisen antes di un hånao.
You must ask before you leave.

Debi di u ekungok yo’.
She has to listen to me.

Debi di ta osge i mañaina-ta.
We must obey our parents.

debi di – to be expected, supposed to (expectation)

Esta alas 8, debi di u gaigi si Antonia gi che’cho’.
It’s already 8 o’clock, Antonia should be at work.

Debi di u magraduha esta si Jesse.
Jesse should have graduated already.