Korean Job Discussion Forums

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I am about 99% sure that should does not equal "must do". Talked it over with a few co-workers and they agree.

However, students are always surprised when I tell them should only means "I think... it'a a good idea to.... in my opinion"? So many students question me that I'm now beginning to wonder.

Does should ever mean "have to/must"?

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

You should know this

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

and even when should is "an obligation", never really sounds like "must"

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:02 am Post subject:

Newbie,

"Should" (as well as 'ought') is used for avisability <whereas "had better" is more for urgency>.

On the other hand "must" is primarily used in writing <when communicated with another like-language individual> and is intended more for expressions in obligation/writing <epsecially in written form>.

Three sheets to the wind...does that make sense??

!shoosh,

Ryst

dee · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Birmingham

ought to...? that's what I reckon it should mean Confused

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Think of these two sentences:

You should wear a seatbelt.

You must wear a seatbelt.

The latter implies that there is some outside force making you wear a seatbelt. It is something that is larger than yourself. Should is more of a personal decision. Something that would be advisable, but it's still your call.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

They're not the same, but only when "must" is used to mean "should". Like "You must see the new movie". In such cases, "must" is used to over-emphasize the fact that the movie is so good that you'd really be missing out.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

I'm fairly certain that Koreans translate 'you should...' as, 'you must...". I know for a fact that Japanese foreign exchange students back home do the same. I had many fires to put out when saying, 'you should...'.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

Travelous Maximus · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Location: Nueva Anglia

It all depends who is telling you you should. If the person is in a position of power over you, it usually means more like you 'must'. For example, when a friend tells you that you 'should do the right thing', it's just advice and not a command. When an employer tells you,' you should come in earlier' that's a command. Don't get it confused.

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I agree that should and must can, in some cases, mean the same thing. Generally, however, should does not connote the urgency inherent in the word must. For example, You shouldn't go there versus you must not go there shows you that the former involves someone exhorting you to do something but not in such an urgent manner, but must makes one thing the urging is firmer. Now suppose I said "I really should go home now, it is late". You could replace it with must and have the same meaning. And as someone said, must is more formal sounding. Depending on context, a Korean could be wrong in viewing it as synonymous with must. It is all situational.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Pretty sure "should' is one of those concepts that gets lost in translation.

There are a lot of things that are common expressions in korean, but when translated, they just don't quite get the same idea across. (ex. diligant)

When bossman says, "You should go to dinner with us", it's not a recommendation, it's an expectation, eventhough it's not absolutely required.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

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