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"Deberse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to be due to", and "debido a" is a phrase which is often translated as "because of". Learn more about the difference between "deberse" and "debido a" below.
deberse(
deh
-
behr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be due to
Esta situación se debe a la falta de información.This situation is due to a lack of information.
deber
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. must
¿Cuántos años tiene tu profesora de francés? - Debe tener unos cuarenta.How old is your French teacher? - She must be around forty.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
b. obligation
Es tu deber como madre cuidar a tus hijos.It's your obligation as a mother to take care of your children.
los deberes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
7. (education)
a. homework
Tengo un montón de deberes que hacer este fin de semana.I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.
debido a(
deh
-
bee
-
doh
ah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. because of
Marta trabaja hoy desde casa debido a la huelga de transporte público.Marta is working from home today because of the public transport strike.
b. due to
Algunas carreteras se han cerrado debido a las malas condiciones climáticas.Some roads have been closed due to bad weather conditions.
c. owing to
Hubo un malentendido entre el abogado y su cliente debido a una mala traducción del intérprete.There was a misunderstanding between the attorney and his client owing to a bad translation by the interpreter.
d. on account of
Pedro lleva ya meses sin trabajar debido a una lesión de columna.Pedro has been off work for months now on account of a spinal injury.
