should; ought to; be appropriate to
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
should; ought to; it is only proper to
formalA slightly formal or written expression, indicating an action is reasonable, appropriate, or obligatory according to principle, logic, or rules. It was commonly used in official documents in the past.
Cǐ此
shì事
lǐ理
yīng应
jí及
shí时
chǔ处
lǐ理
。
This matter should be handled promptly.
Zuò作
wéi为
yī一
míng名
yuán员
gōng工
，
lǐ理
yīng应
zūn遵
shǒu守
gōng公
sī司
guī规
dìng定
。
As an employee, one ought to abide by the company rules.
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（
jiù旧
shì式
gōng公
wén文
）
lǐ理
yīng应
bèi备
wén文
chéng呈
bào报
。
(Old style official document) It is appropriate to prepare a document for submission.
Tā他
bāng帮
le了
wǒ我
nà那
me么
duō多
，
wǒ我
lǐ理
yīng应
gǎn感
xiè谢
tā他
。
He has helped me so much; I ought to thank him.