Reflexive deber

Question

Hey guys. I heard "y eso es algo que te debes hacer" during a movie (I honestly don't know if the part up to te is correct because I sort of forgot since the movie was terrible). Can you guys explain the difference between te debes and just debes?

Gracias de antemano!

Answer 1

Te debe aplicar en el colegio - Debes aplicarte en el colegio

You must apply yourself in college...

about your movie: "y eso es algo que te debes hacer"

and that's something you have to/must do to yourself...

te debeS - gintar77, Jul 28, 2011

thanks - bafalck, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 2

The "te" does not go with "deber", it goes with "hacer". Another way to write it would be y eso es algo que debes hacerte.

That is something that you must make yourself or do to yourself or possibly other interpretations depending on context.

thanks. are you sure it could be either make yourself or do to yourself? chileno only offered the latter as an option - bafalck, Jul 28, 2011

Sure. For example, "Te debes hacer una paella. ¡Son riquísimas!" ==> You have to make yourself a paella. They are really delicious! - gintar77, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 3

Hola! Good question.

Is it possible that this might be used for emphasis stating that YOU! should do whatever has to be done?

I'm not a native, so you might want to wait for some more answers