Expressing Expectation and Obligation: "Supposed to" in Spanish

Expressing Expectation and Obligation: "Supposed to" in Spanish

Expressing Expectation and Obligation: "Supposed to" in Spanish

The English phrase "supposed to" is often used to indicate expectation, obligation, or a normative standard. In Spanish, conveying this idea can be done in a few ways, depending on the context. Let's delve into the primary expressions for "supposed to" in Spanish.

Expected to Do Something: Deber + Infinitive

One way to express "supposed to" in the context of an expectation to perform an action is using "deber" followed by an infinitive.

• Deber + [infinitive verb] - "should" or "ought to" (also conveys a sense of obligation)

For example:

• "You are supposed to study for the exam." becomes "Debes estudiar para el examen."

Something Is Planned or Expected to Happen: Tener Que + Infinitive

When indicating a plan or something that is expected to occur, "tener que" followed by an infinitive is commonly used.

• Tener que + [infinitive verb] - "have to"

For example:

• "The meeting is supposed to start at 9 AM." becomes "La reunión tiene que empezar a las 9 AM."

Expected Norm or Standard: Se Supone Que

To express a normative standard or what is generally expected, "se supone que" is often used.

• Se supone que + [conjugated verb] - "it is assumed that" or "it is supposed to"

For example:

• "You're supposed to be quiet in the library." becomes "Se supone que debes estar callado en la biblioteca."

When Something Was Expected but Didn't Happen: Suponerse Que + Past Tense Verb

If something was expected to happen but did not, "suponerse que" followed by a verb in the past tense can be used.

• Suponerse que + [past tense verb] - "was supposed to"

For example:

• "He was supposed to arrive yesterday." becomes "Se suponía que llegara ayer."

Examples in Context

Let's look at each form in context to better understand their usage:

• Deber: "I'm supposed to finish the project by Friday." — "Debo terminar el proyecto para el viernes."

• Tener que: "We're supposed to check out of the hotel by noon." — "Tenemos que hacer el check-out del hotel antes del mediodía."

• Se supone que: "Aren't you supposed to ask for permission?" — "¿No se supone que debes pedir permiso?"

• Suponerse que: "They were supposed to call us back." — "Se suponía que nos devolvieran la llamada."

Conclusion

The phrase "supposed to" in English can translate to different constructions in Spanish, each suited to specific contexts. Understanding the subtle differences between "deber", "tener que", and "suponerse que" will help you convey expectations, obligations, and assumptions more accurately in Spanish.