shall
word
/ˈʃæɫ/
shal
/ʃˈæl/
shal
Definition
'Shall' is a formal modal verb used to express future actions (especially with 'I' or 'we'), make offers or suggestions, or ask for advice. It is less common in modern spoken English but often used in legal or official contexts.
Usage & Nuances
Highly formal; in modern use mostly replaced by 'will' except in questions with 'shall we'/'shall I' (suggestions/offers). 'Shall' appears frequently in contracts and legal English. Avoid in informal conversation.
Spanish: deber - irá (futuro formal)Portuguese (BR): dever - irá (futuro formal)Portuguese (PT): dever - irá (futuro formal)Chinese (Simplified): 应该 (正式) - 将 (正式将来时)Chinese (Traditional): 應該 (正式) - 將 (正式未來式)Hindi: चाहिए (औपचारिक) - होगा (औपचारिक भविष्य)Arabic: يجب أن - سوف (مستقبل رسمي)Bengali: হবে - করব - করবোRussian: должен (официально) - будетJapanese: 〜ましょう - 〜べきです (法律) - 〜することになるVietnamese: sẽ - nên (trang trọng, pháp lý)Korean: ~할까요? - ~해야 한다 (공식적)Turkish: -malı/-meli (resmî) - edeceğiz (biz)Urdu: چاہیے (رسمی) - ہوگاIndonesian: akan - sebaiknya (formal/aturan)
Example Sentences
Shall we go to the park?
basic
When shall I call you?
basic
You shall receive your results by Friday.
basic
Shall I open the window?
natural
No one shall enter without permission.
natural
Shall we order some pizza?
natural