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A1 verb 8 min read

dever

Examples Notes & Tips dever in 30 Seconds
Explanation dever in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners encounter 'dever' primarily in its most literal sense of obligation ('must') and basic financial debt ('owe'). At this stage, the focus is on the present indicative tense: 'eu devo', 'você deve', 'nós devemos'. Learners use it to express simple rules or immediate needs. For example, 'Eu devo estudar' (I must study) or 'Quanto eu devo?' (How much do I owe?). The concept of 'dever de casa' (homework) is also introduced as a common noun. Understanding that 'dever' is followed directly by another verb in the infinitive is the key grammatical hurdle here. A1 learners should focus on these concrete, everyday applications without worrying about the nuances of 'should' or hypothetical situations, which come later. It's about basic survival: knowing what you must do and knowing if you owe money.
At the A2 level, the use of 'dever' expands to include logical probability and more varied social obligations. A2 learners start to recognize 'deve ser' as 'it must be' (e.g., 'Deve ser meio-dia' - It must be noon). They also begin to use 'dever' in the preterite tense to talk about past obligations ('Eu devi dinheiro' - I owed money). The distinction between 'dever' (moral/formal obligation) and 'ter que' (practical necessity) begins to form, though learners often use them interchangeably. A2 students also learn to use 'dever' with more complex objects, such as 'dever explicações' (to owe explanations). The focus shifts from simple sentences to incorporating 'dever' into slightly more complex social interactions, like asking for a bill or confirming a rule in a game.
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The B1 level is where 'dever' becomes truly versatile through the introduction of the imperfect ('devia') and conditional ('deveria') tenses to express 'should'. This is a major milestone for learners, as it allows them to give advice, express opinions, and talk about hypothetical duties. A B1 learner can say 'Você deveria descansar mais' (You should rest more) or 'Eu devia ter ligado' (I should have called). The use of 'dever' for probability also becomes more nuanced, allowing the speaker to express varying degrees of certainty. B1 learners also start to use the noun 'o dever' in more abstract ways, discussing 'deveres do cidadão' (duties of the citizen). This level requires balancing the literal 'must' with the softer 'should', which is essential for polite conversation in Portuguese.
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At B2, the learner masters the use of 'dever' in complex grammatical structures, including the future subjunctive ('se eu dever') and the personal infinitive. B2 learners can use 'dever' to express subtle shades of meaning in professional and academic contexts. They understand how 'dever' functions in passive constructions ('o valor deve ser pago') and can distinguish between the nuances of 'deveria' (conditional) and 'devia' (imperfect) in regional variations. They also become familiar with idiomatic expressions and the use of 'dever' in literary or formal journalistic writing to indicate expected future events ('O presidente deve visitar a China amanhã'). The focus at B2 is on precision and the ability to use 'dever' to navigate formal and semi-formal social hierarchies effectively.
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C1 learners use 'dever' with the sophistication of a native speaker, employing it in philosophical, legal, and highly technical discussions. They understand the deep etymological roots of the word and how it relates to concepts of ethics and social contracts. At this level, 'dever' is used to construct complex arguments about what 'ought' to be (deontic modality). The learner can handle the verb in all its compound forms and understands the subtle implications of using 'dever' versus 'haver de' or 'ter de' in high-level literature. They are also adept at using 'dever' in the plural noun form ('deveres') to discuss complex legal frameworks. For a C1 student, 'dever' is not just a verb but a tool for expressing the underlying structures of responsibility and expectation in society.
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At the C2 level, 'dever' is used with complete mastery and stylistic flair. The learner can appreciate and use 'dever' in its most archaic or poetic forms found in classical Portuguese literature (like Camões or Fernando Pessoa). They understand the fine-grained differences between 'dever' as a modal of necessity and its use in expressing epistemic modality (probability) at the highest level of abstraction. C2 speakers can use 'dever' to convey irony, sarcasm, or extreme politeness through specific tense choices and intonation. They are also fully conversant with the legal and financial jargon where 'dever' is used to define liabilities and fiduciary duties. Mastery at this level means 'dever' is perfectly integrated into the speaker's lexicon, used effortlessly to navigate the most complex linguistic environments.
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Examples Notes & Tips

dever in 30 Seconds

  • Dever means 'to must', 'to should', or 'to owe' in Portuguese.
  • It is used for obligations, logical guesses, and financial debts.
  • The noun form 'o dever' means duty or homework.
  • Use 'deveria' for polite advice and 'deve' for strong rules.

The Portuguese verb dever is a versatile linguistic cornerstone that functions as both a modal verb of obligation and a transitive verb indicating financial or moral debt. At its core, it translates to 'to must', 'to should', 'to owe', or 'to be obliged to'. For an English speaker, understanding dever requires a shift in perspective, as it covers the territory occupied by several different English verbs depending on the tense and context. When used as a modal verb, it is followed directly by an infinitive, such as devo estudar (I must study). When used to describe debt, it takes a direct object, like devo dez euros (I owe ten euros).

Obligation and Necessity
In the present tense, dever implies a strong sense of duty or a logical necessity. It is less forceful than ter que (to have to) but more formal and authoritative. For example, a doctor might say você deve tomar este remédio to indicate a medical necessity based on professional advice.

Nós devemos respeitar as leis de trânsito para garantir a segurança de todos.

Financial and Moral Debt
Beyond obligation, dever is the primary verb for owing money or favors. If you borrow money from a bank, you deve dinheiro. If someone saves your life, you deve a vida to them. This dual meaning of 'must' and 'owe' stems from the Latin debere, which literally meant 'to have from someone' (de-habere).

Eu te devo um favor por me ajudar com a mudança ontem.

Probability and Inference
A third common use is to express probability. If the doorbell rings at the time you expected a delivery, you might say deve ser o correio (it must be the mail). This mirrors the English use of 'must' for logical deduction rather than physical or legal obligation.

O céu está muito escuro; deve chover logo mais.

In formal settings, dever is ubiquitous in legal documents, contracts, and ethical manifestos. It carries a weight of responsibility that precisar (to need) lacks. While precisar focuses on the internal need of the subject, dever focuses on the external expectation or the inherent rightness of the action. To master dever is to master the art of expressing social and financial contracts in the Lusophone world.

Using dever correctly involves understanding its conjugation and the specific nuances provided by different tenses. Because it functions as a modal verb, it is usually the 'auxiliary' verb that carries the tense and person, while the main action remains in the infinitive form. This structure is very similar to English 'must' or 'should'.

The Present Indicative (Certainty/Directness)
Use the present tense for immediate obligations or current debts. Eu devo (I owe/must), você deve (you owe/must), nós devemos (we owe/must). This sounds definitive and direct.

Você deve entregar o relatório até as cinco horas da tarde.

The Imperfect Indicative (Advice/Softness)
In Portuguese, the imperfect devia is often used to give polite advice or express what 'should' be happening. It softens the command compared to the present tense. Você devia comer mais frutas (You should eat more fruit).

Nós devíamos ter saído mais cedo para evitar o trânsito.

The Conditional (Hypothetical Should)
The conditional deveria is the most direct translation for 'should' in hypothetical or polite contexts. While devia is common in speech, deveria is preferred in writing and formal speech. Eu deveria estudar mais (I should study more).

Se você quer passar na prova, deveria focar nos exercícios práticos.

It is important to note that when dever is used in the past perfect (devia ter + participle), it often expresses regret about something that was supposed to happen but didn't. This is a complex but essential construction for B1 and B2 learners. For example, Eu devia ter dito a verdade means 'I should have told the truth'.

The word dever permeates almost every aspect of Lusophone life, from the mundane to the highly philosophical. You will hear it in the bank, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the courtroom. Its frequency in daily conversation is high because it serves as the primary tool for navigating social expectations and financial transactions.

At the Bank and Shopping
The most literal use is financial. You will see it on your bank statement under saldo devedor (debt balance). When splitting a bill at a restaurant, someone might ask Quanto eu devo na minha parte? (How much do I owe for my part?).

Infelizmente, ainda devo três parcelas do meu carro novo.

In Education and Parenting
Parents and teachers use dever constantly. The noun dever de casa is the standard term for homework in Brazil. A teacher might say Vocês devem prestar atenção (You must pay attention), establishing a clear hierarchy of duty.

Filho, você já fez o seu dever de matemática para amanhã?

Legal and Formal Contexts
In legal texts, dever is used to state the obligations of parties. Phrases like o contratante deve... (the contractor must...) are standard. It implies a binding commitment. In news broadcasts, you might hear o governo deve anunciar novas medidas (the government is expected to/must announce new measures), indicating probability.

Todo cidadão deve cumprir seus deveres cívicos e respeitar a constituição.

Finally, in everyday gossip or speculation, dever is used for logical deduction. If someone is late, a friend might say Ele deve estar preso no trânsito (He must be stuck in traffic). This usage is incredibly common and helps speakers make sense of the world around them through inference.

While dever seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble over its nuances, particularly regarding the choice of tense and its distinction from other verbs of necessity like ter que and precisar.

Mistake 1: Overusing the Present Tense for 'Should'
English speakers often use the present indicative deve when they actually want to say 'should' (advice). Saying Você deve ir sounds like a command ('You must go'). If you want to give friendly advice, use Você deveria ir or Você devia ir.

Incorrect: Eu deve comer menos açúcar. (I must eat less sugar - sounds like a rule).
Correct: Eu deveria comer menos açúcar. (I should eat less sugar - advice/intent).

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Dever' with 'Ter que'
Ter que (to have to) is much more common for everyday obligations. Tenho que ir ao mercado is more natural than Devo ir ao mercado. Use dever for moral duties, logical deductions, or formal requirements.

Incorrect: Eu devo meu amigo dez reais.
Correct: Eu devo dez reais ao meu amigo.

Mistake 3: The Noun vs. Verb Confusion
Learners sometimes forget that dever is also a noun. In the plural, deveres means duties. Direitos e deveres (rights and duties) is a common pairing. Ensure you use the correct article (o dever) when using it as a noun.

Another frequent error is the pronunciation of the 'v'. It should be a voiced labiodental fricative (like English 'v'), not a 'b' sound. Also, in the word dever, the final 'r' is often aspirated or silent in many Brazilian dialects, but the stress remains on the last syllable: de-VER.

Portuguese offers several ways to express obligation and necessity. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the nature of the requirement. Dever sits in the middle of this spectrum.

Dever vs. Ter que
Ter que (or ter de) is the workhorse of obligation. It is used for everyday tasks: Tenho que lavar a louça. Dever is more about what is 'right' or 'expected'. Devemos lavar a louça sounds like a moral lecture about cleanliness.

Eu tenho que ir agora (I have to go - neutral) vs. Eu devo ir agora (I ought to go - formal/moral).

Dever vs. Precisar
Precisar means 'to need'. It focuses on a lack or a requirement for a specific goal. Preciso de água (I need water). Dever focuses on the obligation itself. You precisa eat to live, but you deve be polite to others.

Você precisa de ajuda? (Do you need help?) vs. Você deve ajudar seus pais (You must help your parents).

Obrigação and Compromisso
If dever is too vague, nouns like obrigação (obligation) or compromisso (commitment/appointment) can be used. Tenho a obrigação de... is very strong. Tenho um compromisso is the standard way to say you have an appointment or a meeting.

When dealing with financial debt, estar em dívida is a common alternative to dever. Estou em dívida com você (I am in debt to you) carries a slightly more formal and lasting tone than simply saying te devo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The same Latin root gives us the English word 'debt' and 'duty'. It connects the concept of 'having' with the concept of 'owing'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /deˈveɾ/
US /deˈveʁ/
Last syllable (ver).
Rhymes With
viver comer beber saber trazer querer prazer lazer
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the final 'r' like an English 'r' (it should be tapped or guttural).
  • Making the 'v' sound like a 'b'.
  • Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
  • Pronouncing the first 'e' too openly like 'apple'.
  • Not voicing the 'v' enough.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of tenses like conditional for 'should'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of final 'r' and 'v' needs practice.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'dever' (noun) or 'devia' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ter dinheiro fazer ir ser

Learn Next

precisar poder querer obrigação dívida

Advanced

incumbência fiduciário deontologia passivo comprometimento
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Examples by Level

1

Eu devo estudar hoje.

I must study today.

Dever + infinitive (estudar).

2

Quanto eu te devo?

How much do I owe you?

Dever used as 'to owe' with a direct object.

3

Você deve beber água.

You must drink water.

Simple present indicative for obligation.

4

Nós devemos ir agora.

We must go now.

First person plural conjugation: devemos.

5

Ele deve dez euros.

He owes ten euros.

Third person singular conjugation: deve.

6

Onde está o meu dever de casa?

Where is my homework?

Dever used as a noun meaning homework.

7

Vocês devem comer tudo.

You (plural) must eat everything.

Second person plural/formal: devem.

8

Eu não devo nada.

I don't owe anything.

Negative construction with 'nada'.

1

Deve ser tarde demais.

It must be too late.

Dever used for logical probability.

2

Eu devi dinheiro ao banco.

I owed money to the bank.

Preterite tense: devi.

3

Eles devem chegar logo.

They must arrive soon.

Probability based on expectation.

4

Você não deve falar alto aqui.

You must not speak loudly here.

Prohibition using 'não deve'.

5

Nós devíamos visitar nossa avó.

We should visit our grandmother.

Imperfect tense used for 'should' (advice).

6

O que eu devo fazer agora?

What should I do now?

Asking for guidance/obligation.

7

Ela deve estar em casa.

She must be at home.

Inference/probability.

8

Você deve um pedido de desculpas.

You owe an apology.

Moral debt: owing an apology.

1

Você deveria dormir mais cedo.

You should sleep earlier.

Conditional tense for polite advice.

2

Eu devia ter estudado para a prova.

I should have studied for the exam.

Imperfect + Ter + Participle for past regret.

3

Nós deveríamos economizar dinheiro.

We should save money.

Conditional for collective advice.

4

Ele deve ter esquecido a chave.

He must have forgotten the key.

Logical deduction about the past.

5

Você não devia ter dito isso.

You shouldn't have said that.

Criticizing a past action using 'devia'.

6

Deveríamos levar um guarda-chuva.

We should take an umbrella.

Suggestion/Should.

7

Quanto eu deveria pagar por isso?

How much should I pay for this?

Conditional in a question.

8

Ela devia estar muito cansada.

She must have been very tired.

Past probability/inference.

1

O governo deve anunciar o novo plano.

The government is expected to announce the new plan.

Formal use indicating future expectation.

2

Tudo deve ser feito com cuidado.

Everything must be done with care.

Passive voice with 'deve'.

3

Se eu dever algo, pagarei amanhã.

If I owe anything, I will pay tomorrow.

Future subjunctive: dever.

4

Eles devem-se uns aos outros.

They owe (it to) each other.

Pronominal use for reciprocal debt.

5

A proposta deve ser analisada pela equipe.

The proposal must be analyzed by the team.

Formal obligation in business.

6

Você deve-me o seu sucesso.

You owe me your success.

Figurative debt/contribution.

7

Não devemos ignorar os sinais do mercado.

We must not ignore the market signs.

Professional/Economic context.

8

Deveríamos ter previsto este problema.

We should have foreseen this problem.

Collective professional regret.

1

O dever moral sobrepõe-se ao desejo.

Moral duty overrides desire.

Noun 'dever' in a philosophical context.

2

A dívida que ele deve é impagável.

The debt he owes is unpayable.

Emphasis on the nature of the debt.

3

Deve-se notar que a lei mudou.

It should be noted that the law has changed.

Impersonal 'se' construction for formal observation.

4

O autor deve sua inspiração à natureza.

The author owes his inspiration to nature.

Abstract transitive use.

5

Tais medidas devem-se à crise atual.

Such measures are due to the current crisis.

Pronominal use indicating cause/origin.

6

Cumprir o dever é a base da ética.

Fulfilling one's duty is the basis of ethics.

Infinitive as a noun phrase.

7

A empresa deve milhões em impostos.

The company owes millions in taxes.

Financial liability at scale.

8

Nada se deve esperar de quem nada dá.

Nothing should be expected from one who gives nothing.

Literary/Proverbial structure.

1

A existência precede o dever ser.

Existence precedes the 'ought to be'.

Philosophical concept 'dever ser'.

2

Devia-se outrora mais respeito aos anciãos.

More respect was once owed to the elders.

Archaic/Formal imperfect with impersonal 'se'.

3

O réu deve ser tido como inocente.

The defendant must be regarded as innocent.

Legal principle/presumption.

4

A obra deve-se ao gênio de Camões.

The work is credited to the genius of Camões.

Attribution of authorship/creation.

5

Não me deves satisfações da tua vida.

You don't owe me explanations about your life.

Idiomatic use of 'satisfações' with 'dever'.

6

O dever de memória é fundamental.

The duty of memory is fundamental.

Sociopolitical concept of historical memory.

7

Devia eu saber que isto aconteceria.

I should have known this would happen.

Inverted subject for literary emphasis.

8

A quem muito se deu, muito se deve.

To whom much was given, much is owed.

Complex reciprocal passive structure.

Common Collocations

dever de casa
dever dinheiro
dever favores
cumprir o dever
senso de dever
dever explicações
dever respeito
saldo devedor
dever a vida
dever lealdade

Common Phrases

O que eu te devo?

— Used to ask for the price or a favor's value.

Obrigado pela ajuda! O que eu te devo?

Deve ser brincadeira!

— Expresses disbelief or surprise.

Você ganhou na loteria? Deve ser brincadeira!

Fazer o seu dever.

— To do what is expected of you.

Eu só estava fazendo o meu dever.

Não deve nada a ninguém.

— To be independent and free of debt.

Ela trabalhou duro e agora não deve nada a ninguém.

Como deve ser.

— The way things ought to be.

Tudo está organizado, como deve ser.

Mais do que devia.

— More than what was appropriate.

Ele falou mais do que devia na reunião.

Dever na praça.

— To have a bad credit reputation (Brazil).

Ele está devendo na praça e não consegue crédito.

Dever os olhos da cara.

— To owe a huge, impossible amount of money.

Comprei uma mansão e agora devo os olhos da cara.

Cumprir com o dever.

— To satisfy one's obligations.

Ele sempre cumpre com o seu dever de pai.

Deve-se notar que...

— Formal way to point something out.

Deve-se notar que os lucros caíram.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dever a alma ao diabo"

— To be deeply in debt to someone dangerous or to have huge debts.

Ele gastou tudo no cassino e agora deve a alma ao diabo.

informal
"Dever favores"

— To be in someone's debt because of help received.

Não gosto de dever favores a políticos.

neutral
"Bater o dever"

— To finish one's task (informal Brazil).

Vou bater o dever e já saio com vocês.

slang
"Dever e haver"

— Accounting terms for debit and credit; also used for pros and cons.

Precisamos analisar o dever e o haver desta situação.

formal
"Estar em falta com o dever"

— To fail in one's responsibilities.

O guarda estava em falta com o dever quando dormiu.

formal
"Dever até os cabelos"

— To be in debt up to one's ears.

Depois daquela viagem, ele está devendo até os cabelos.

informal
"Fazer por dever"

— To do something out of obligation rather than love.

Ela visita a tia apenas por dever.

neutral
"Dever o que não tem"

— To owe more than one possesses.

Não compre esse carro, você vai acabar devendo o que não tem.

neutral
"Chamar ao dever"

— To remind someone of their responsibilities.

O chefe chamou o funcionário ao dever.

formal
"Dever de ofício"

— An obligation inherent to one's job.

Denunciar o crime era seu dever de ofício.

legal

Word Family

Nouns

dever
dívida
devedor
devido

Verbs

dever
endividar-se

Adjectives

devido
devedor

Related

obrigação
tarefa
compromisso
responsabilidade
ética
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Dever' as 'Debt' + 'Ever'. You 'ever' have a 'debt' of duty or money.

Visual Association

Imagine a student doing 'dever de casa' while a 'devedor' (debtor) hands over a coin.

Word Web

dívida obrigação estudar dinheiro deveria deve moral casa

Challenge

Write three sentences: one about a rule, one about money, and one giving advice using 'deveria'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'debere', which is a contraction of 'de-habere'.

Original meaning: 'To have from' someone, implying that what you have belongs to another.

Romance / Indo-European.

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone 'você deve' as it can sound bossy; 'você deveria' is safer.

English uses 'must', 'should', and 'owe'. Portuguese collapses these into 'dever'.

O Dever de Memória (concept in history) Poem 'O Dever' by various Portuguese authors Legal codes mentioning 'Direitos e Deveres'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School

  • Fazer o dever
  • Entregar o dever
  • Dever de matemática
  • Não fiz o dever

Bank

  • Dever ao banco
  • Saldo devedor
  • Dever parcelas
  • Quanto devo?

Ethics

  • Dever moral
  • Cumprir o dever
  • Senso de dever
  • Dever cívico

Advice

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