Le verbe devoir
must / have to / need to
Introduction
Je dois renouveler mon passeport.
I have to renew my passport
Vous devez apporter l'ancien passeport et des photos à la mairie. Attention : les photos doivent être conformes !
You must bring the old passport and photos to the town hall. Please note: the photos must conform!
Utilisation
« devoir » = an obligation (must / have to / need to)
- Paul doit finir le compte-rendu de la réunion avant vendredi.
- Paul has to finish writing the minutes of the meeting by Friday.
- Les hôtesses doivent vérifier le passeport des passagers.
- The flight attendants must check the passengers’ passports.
« devoir » = a probability / deduction (must)
- Paul doit être dans son bureau = il est certainement dans son bureau.
- Paul must be in his office. = He is probably in his office.
Conjugation
| devoir | Have to / must / need to |
|---|---|
| Je dois | I have to / must / need to |
| Tu dois | You have to / must / need to |
| Il doit | He/ It has to / must / need to |
| Elle doit | She/It has to / must / need to |
| Nous devons | We have to / must / need to |
| Vous devez | You have to / must / need to |
| Ils doivent | They have to / must / need to (plural masculine) |
| Elles doivent | They have to / must / need to (plural feminine) |
Remarque
The verb after the verb « devoir » is always in the infinitive form.
- Nous devons organiser une réunion rapidement.
- We must organise a meeting quickly.
- Tu dois faire une présentation demain ?
- You have to do a presentation tomorrow?
