deben tener

they should have

they must have

deben tener(deh-behn teh-nehr)

phrase

1. (used to express obligation; third person plural)

a. they should have

No olvides decirles que deben tener una licencia especial para manejar este tipo de vehículo.

Don't forget to tell them that they should have a special license to drive this kind of vehicle.

b. should have

Se entiende que los niños hagan cosas así, pero los adultos deben tener más sentido común.

It's understandable that children do things like that, but adults should have more common sense.

c. they should be

Diles que por esta vez pase, pero que deben tener más cuidado en el futuro.

Tell them that I'll let it go this time, but that they should be more careful in the future.

d. should be

Las estanterías deben tener menos de un metro de largo si quieres ponerlas en ese hueco del salón.

The shelves should be less than one meter long if you want to put them in that space in the living room.

2. (used to express obligation; second person plural)

a. you should have

Para solicitar cualquiera de nuestras tarjetas de crédito, deben tener una cuenta con nosotros.

In order to apply for any of our credit cards, you should have an account with us.

b. you should be

Deben tener al menos 18 años para poder ver esta película.

You should be at least 18 to be allowed to watch this movie.

3. (used to express possibility; third person plural)

a. they must have

Deben tener mucho dinero si se pueden permitir una casa así.

They must have a lot of money if they can afford a house like that one.

b. must have

Alicia y Francisco deben tener una buena biblioteca en casa porque han leído mucho.

Alicia and Francisco must have a good library at home because they've read a lot.

c. they must be

Deben tener muchas ganas de ir a la fiesta si están dispuestos a conducir dos horas para llegar hasta allí.

They must be really eager to go to the party if they're prepared to drive for two hours to get there.

d. must be

Ricardo y Juan deben tener mi edad porque fuimos juntos a la escuela.

Ricardo and Juan must be my age because we went to school together.

4. (used to express possibility; second person plural)

a. you must have

Si llevan tantos años trabajando en el sector, deben tener mucha experiencia.

If you've been working in the sector for so many years, you must have a lot of experience.

b. you must be

Deben tener mucho miedo de su padre si no se atreven a preguntarle si les deja ir a la fiesta.

You must be really afraid of your father if you don't dare ask him whether he'll let you go to the party.