debe estar

he must be

debe estar(deh-beh ehs-tahr)

phrase

1. (used to express possibility; third person singular)

a. he must be

¿No ha venido Carlos? - No, debe estar fuera este fin de semana.

Hasn't Carlos come? - No, he must be away for the weekend.

b. she must be

Por lo visto Ana ha conseguido el trabajo. Debe estar muy contenta.

It seems Ana has got the job. She must be very happy.

c. it must be

No encuentro mi traje azul marino. Debe estar en la tintorería.

I can't find my navy blue suit. It must be at the dry cleaner's.

d. must be

La vecina debe estar en casa porque su carro está aparcado en la puerta.

Our neighbor must be at home because her car is parked outside.

2.

(formal)

(used to express possibility; second person singular)

a. you must be

Debe estar cansado después de un viaje tan largo.

You must be tired after such a long journey.

3. (used to express obligation; third person singular)

a. he must be

Recuérdale al jefe que debe estar en la oficina a las diez porque ha citado a un cliente.

Remind the boss that he must be in the office by ten because he's arranged to meet a client.

b. she must be

Explique a la paciente que, para ser operada aquí, debe estar residiendo en este país.

Explain the patient that, in order to be operated here, she must be living in this country.

c. it must be

¿A qué temperatura debe estar la habitación? - Debe estar a 23ºC. Es la temperatura idónea para esas plantas.

What temperature should the room be? - It must be at 23ºC. It's the right temperature for those plants.

d. must be

La tarjeta vieja debe estar caducada para que le den una nueva.

Your old card must be expired for you to get a new one.

4.

(formal)

(used to express obligation; second person singular)

a. you must be

Si quiere asistir a la ceremonia de entrega de los premios, debe estar en esta lista.

If you want to be able to attend the award ceremony, you must be on this list.