must
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: mote · motest · musts · musting
Sense 1
To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.
Phải thực hiện như một yêu cầu; chỉ ra rằng chủ thể bị yêu cầu
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
To do with certainty; indicates that the speaker is certain that the subject will have executed the predicate.
Phải thực hiện với chắc chắn; chỉ ra rằng người nói chắc chắn
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Something that is mandatory, required or recommended.
Một điều bắt buộc, cần thiết hoặc được khuyến nghị
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
The property of being stale or musty.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “must” mean?
To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.
Is “must” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.