yo debo

I must

yo debo(yoh deh-boh)

phrase

1. (used to express obligation)

a. I must

Tú puedes faltar, pero yo debo ir. Es la boda de mi hermana.

You can miss it but I must go. It's my sister's wedding.

b. I have to

Yo debo volar a Sevilla por trabajo. ¿Quieres venir?

I have to fly to Seville on business. Do you want to come?

c. I should

Yo debo disculparme. No quise decir eso.

I should apologize. I didn't mean it that way.

d. I ought to

Al oír los gritos, pensé: "Yo debo llamar a la policía antes de que sea demasiado tarde".

On hearing the shouting, I thought "I ought to call the police before it's too late."

2. (used to express possibility)

a. I must

Yo debo de ser muy inocente, porque jamás pensé que un anciano me engañaría de este modo.

I must be very naive because I never thought such an old man could fool me this way.

3. (I have to pay back)

a. I owe

Yo debo dinero al banco desde que me lo prestó para mis estudios.

I owe money to the bank since they lend it to me for my studies.