本该

本該

běngāi

adverb #5,148

Meanings

1 should have
2 ought to have
3 was supposed to

Characters

originally; fundamentally

should; ought to

Examples

你本该早点告诉我。

Nǐ běngāi zǎo diǎn gàosù wǒ.

You should have told me earlier.

这本该是一个快乐的日子。

Zhè běngāi shì yī gè kuàilè de rìzi.

This was supposed to be a happy day.

Tips

grammar

本该 implies something that should have happened but didn't. It carries a tone of regret or reproach. Similar to 本应 (běnyīng).

Stroke Order

本 běn

该 gāi