总得

總得

zǒngděi

adverb #24,623

Meanings

1 must always
2 one has to
3 it is always necessary to

Characters

always; in all cases; general

must; have to (modal)

Examples

做事总得有个计划。

Zuòshì zǒngděi yǒu gè jìhuà.

You always have to have a plan when doing things.

出门总得带伞，天气说变就变。

Chūmén zǒngděi dài sǎn, tiānqì shuō biàn jiù biàn.

You always have to bring an umbrella when going out; the weather can change at any moment.

Tips

grammar

总得 combines 总 (always/in any case) + 得 (must/have to), expressing an inevitable obligation or necessity. It is slightly softer than 必须 but stronger than 应该.

Stroke Order

总 zǒng

得 dé