devoir
to have to / must / to owe
Auxiliary: avoir
Devoir is an irregular verb. As a modal (+ infinitif) it means obligation or probability ('je dois partir'); as a full verb it means to owe ('je te dois dix euros'). Its past participle is 'dû' (with a circumflex in the masculine singular only).
Je dois partir tôt demain.
I have to leave early tomorrow.
Indicatif
Présent
Present
Je dois finir ce travail ce soir.
I must finish this work tonight.
Tu dois te reposer un peu.
You must rest a little.
Elle doit prendre le train de huit heures.
She has to take the eight o'clock train.
Nous devons respecter les règles.
We must respect the rules.
Vous devez signer ici, s'il vous plaît.
You must sign here, please.
Ils doivent encore beaucoup d'argent.
They still owe a lot of money.
Imparfait
Imperfect
Je devais me lever tôt chaque jour.
I had to get up early every day.
Tu devais venir hier, non ?
You were supposed to come yesterday, right?
Il devait travailler tard ce jour-là.
He had to work late that day.
Nous devions changer de train à Lyon.
We had to change trains in Lyon.
Vous deviez rendre le devoir lundi.
You were supposed to hand in the assignment on Monday.
Les enfants devaient rentrer avant la nuit.
The children had to come home before dark.
Passé composé
Present Perfect
J'ai dû annuler mon rendez-vous.
I had to cancel my appointment.
Tu as dû te tromper de route.
You must have taken the wrong road.
Elle a dû partir plus tôt.
She had to leave earlier.
Nous avons dû faire demi-tour.
We had to turn back.
Vous avez dû attendre longtemps ?
Did you have to wait long?
Ils ont dû vendre leur maison.
They had to sell their house.
Plus-que-parfait
Past Perfect
J'avais dû tout expliquer deux fois.
I had had to explain everything twice.
Tu avais dû insister pour obtenir une place.
You had had to insist to get a seat.
Il avait dû renoncer à ses vacances.
He had had to give up his holiday.
Nous avions dû emprunter de l'argent.
We had had to borrow money.
Vous aviez dû réserver bien avant.
You had had to book well in advance.
Ils avaient dû quitter le pays en hâte.
They had had to leave the country in a hurry.
Futur simple
Future
Je devrai me lever à cinq heures.
I will have to get up at five.
Tu devras choisir entre les deux.
You will have to choose between the two.
Elle devra repasser l'examen.
She will have to retake the exam.
Nous devrons partir avant midi.
We will have to leave before noon.
Vous devrez présenter une pièce d'identité.
You will have to show an ID.
Ils devront rembourser le prêt.
They will have to repay the loan.
Conditionnel
Conditionnel présent
Conditional
Je devrais faire plus de sport.
I should do more sport.
Tu devrais l'appeler tout de suite.
You should call him right away.
Elle devrait bientôt arriver.
She should arrive soon.
Nous devrions réserver dès maintenant.
We should book right now.
Vous devriez consulter un médecin.
You should see a doctor.
Ils devraient s'excuser.
They should apologise.
Subjonctif
Subjonctif présent
Present Subjunctive
Il est rare que je doive travailler le dimanche.
It is rare that I have to work on Sunday.
Je ne veux pas que tu doives payer pour moi.
I don't want you to have to pay for me.
Il se peut qu'elle doive rester à l'hôpital.
It may be that she has to stay in hospital.
Il faut que nous devions rendre des comptes.
It is necessary that we be accountable.
Je regrette que vous deviez attendre.
I'm sorry that you have to wait.
Il est normal qu'ils doivent s'entraîner beaucoup.
It is normal that they have to train a lot.
