Supposed to Meaning in English

expression · lemma: suppose to

US

səˈpoʊzd/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ

suh-POHZD-tuh

UK

spoʊst/ /tˈuː

SPOHST-TOO

Definition

Used to say that something is expected, required, or intended to happen, or is the rule or plan in a situation.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and very common in speech. Often used for duty, expectations, planned actions, or rules. Not used in formal writing. Be careful not to confuse with 'suppose' (to think); 'supposed to' always refers to obligation or expectation. Often followed by a verb: 'supposed to do', 'supposed to go'.

• Spanish: se supone que - debería
• Portuguese (BR): deveria - era para
• Portuguese (PT): devia - era para
• Chinese (Simplified): 应该 - 按理说
• Chinese (Traditional): 應該 - 按理說
• Hindi: चाहिए था - अपेक्षित था
• Arabic: من المفترض أن - يجدر
• Bengali: উচিত - দায়িত্ব (আচরণ বা পরিকল্পনা অনুযায়ী)
• Russian: должен - предполагается
• Japanese: 〜することになっている - 〜しなければならない
• Vietnamese: phải - được cho là
• Korean: 해야 한다 - 하기로 되어 있다
• Turkish: -meli/-malı - gerekmek
• Urdu: چاہیے - متوقع
• Indonesian: seharusnya - sepatutnya

Example Sentences

I am supposed to finish my homework before dinner.

basic

You are supposed to be quiet in the library.

basic

The train is supposed to arrive at 10 o’clock.

basic

He wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but he did.

natural

We're supposed to meet them at the café, right?

natural

I'm not supposed to eat sweets, but sometimes I can't resist.

natural