должен

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Macedonian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *dъlžьnъ. Cognate with Bulgarian длъ́жен (dlǎ́žen) and Russian до́лжен (dólžen).

Pronunciation

Adjective

должен (dolžen) (not comparable, abstract noun должност)

  1. obligated
  2. indebted

Declension

Russian

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from Old East Slavic дължьнъ (dŭlžĭnŭ, obligated), from Proto-Slavic *dъlžьnъ. Compare with долг (dolg), and cognate with Bulgarian длъ́жен (dlǎ́žen) and Macedonian до́лжен (dólžen).

Pronunciation

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Predicative

до́лжен (dólžen)

  1. Used to express indebtedness. Usually translated as the verb "to owe", with the person indebted to in dative case and the thing owed in accusative case.
    Synonym: обя́зан (objázan) (with the thing owed in instrumental case)
    Он до́лжен мне пять ты́сяч рубле́й.On dólžen mne pjatʹ týsjač rubléj.He owes me five thousand rubles.
  2. (with a verb) Used to express obligation or suggestion. Usually translated as "must", "have to", "should" or "supposed to".
    Synonyms: (partial) вы́нужден (výnužden), на́до (nádo), необходи́мо (neobxodímo), ну́жно (núžno), обя́зан (objázan), (partial) прихо́дится (prixóditsja), сле́дует (slédujet), (partial) сто́ит (stóit)
    Слу́жащие должны́ во́время явля́ться на рабо́ту.Slúžaščije dolžný vóvremja javljátʹsja na rabótu.Employees must report to work on time.
  3. (with a verb) Used to express likelihood. Usually translated as "should".
    Synonyms: вероя́тно (verojátno), наве́рное (navérnoje), наверняка́ (navernjaká), скоре́е всего́ (skoréje vsevó)
    Затме́ние должно́ наступи́ть в три часа́.Zatménije dolžnó nastupítʹ v tri časá.The eclipse should occur at three o'clock.
  4. (with a verb) supposed, meant (to) (used to indicate an intention)
    Э́то должно́ бы́ло быть шу́ткой.Éto dolžnó býlo bytʹ šútkoj.That was supposed to be a joke.
    Она́ должна́ была́ прийти́ ещё вчера́.Oná dolžná bylá prijtí ješčó včerá.She was meant to come yesterday.
    Подожди́те, он до́лжен верну́ться к обе́ду.Podoždíte, on dólžen vernútʹsja k obédu.Wait, he's supposed to be back by lunch.

Declension

Related terms

Derived terms