Vietnamese 'đáng lẽ' Usage (Should Have)
'đáng lẽ' means "should have." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'đáng lẽ' means "should have." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.
English meanings
- should have
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Đáng lẽ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
I should have called you earlier.
2
Đáng lẽ cuộc họp bắt đầu lúc chín giờ.
The meeting should have started at nine o'clock.
How to use it
'đáng lẽ' expresses that something was supposed to happen but did not or did not happen as expected. It often carries regret or blame.
- 'đáng lẽ' is followed by what was supposed to happen.
- Often carries regret, blame, or reflection.
- Do not use it as a simple present 'should'; for ordinary advice, use 'nên.'
Compared with English
Compared with English
English 'should have' often implies regret or criticism; Vietnamese 'đáng lẽ' similarly conveys a counterfactual tone and often pairs with 'phải', 'nên', or a full clause.
Common mistakes
Đáng lẽ tôi gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Đáng lẽ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
To express obligation that was not fulfilled, adding 'phải' clarifies the sense of duty.
Bạn đáng lẽ nghỉ ngơi hôm nay.
Hôm nay bạn nên nghỉ ngơi.
For present advice, use 'nên'; 'đáng lẽ' implies something that should have happened but possibly didn't.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What tone does 'đáng lẽ' usually carry?
Show answer
Multiple choice
What tone does 'đáng lẽ' usually carry?
- Something was supposed to happen but did not
- Ongoing action
- Giving something to someone
Answer: Something was supposed to happen but did not
Explanation: 'đáng lẽ' often expresses counterfactual 'should have'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Answer: Đáng lẽ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Explanation: 'đáng lẽ' is followed by what was supposed to happen.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I should have called you earlier." into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I should have called you earlier." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Đáng lẽ tôi phải gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Explanation: Use đáng lẽ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Đáng lẽ tôi gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Show answer
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Đáng lẽ tôi gọi cho bạn sớm hơn.
Answer: False
Explanation: To express obligation that was not fulfilled, adding 'phải' clarifies the sense of duty.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Đáng lẽ cuộc họp bắt đầu lúc chín giờ, và nó đã bắt đầu đúng giờ.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Đáng lẽ cuộc họp bắt đầu lúc chín giờ, và nó đã bắt đầu đúng giờ.
Answer: Cuộc họp bắt đầu lúc chín giờ.
Explanation: If the event actually happened on time, 'đáng lẽ' is unnecessary.