英语短语"be supposed to do sth." 是核心高频表达,核心含义是“应该做某事”“被期望/要求做某事”“理当做某事”,强调外界的规则、约定、期望或责任感(而非说话者个人的主观判断,这点与"should"有细微区别)。
"be supposed to" 源于动词 "suppose"(认为、假定)的被动结构,字面可理解为“被(他人/规则)认为应该做某事”,因此更侧重客观要求(比如规定、习俗、他人的期待),而非个人的主观建议。
根据语境不同,"be supposed to do sth." 可表达以下几种常见含义:
强调“遵守外界的要求”,比如学校规则、公司制度、法律条文或社会习俗。
You are supposed to wear a uniform to school.(你上学应该穿校服。——学校规定)
Drivers are supposed to stop at red lights.(司机必须在红灯时停车。——交通规则)
We are supposed to return the books by Friday.(我们应该周五前还书。——图书馆规定)
强调“按照常理或约定,某人应该做某事”,常隐含“如果没做会不符合预期”。
She is supposed to call me back this afternoon.(她应该今天下午给我回电话。——之前约定好的)
The train is supposed to arrive at 3:00 PM.(火车应该下午3点到。——时刻表的预期)
I was supposed to meet my friend at the café, but I got stuck in traffic.(我本来应该和朋友在咖啡馆见面,但堵车了。——过去的预期未实现)
此时常与 "be" 搭配,即 "be supposed to be + 形容词/名词",表示“被认为是……”“据说……”。
This movie is supposed to be really scary.(这部电影据说很吓人。——大家的普遍看法)
He is supposed to be the best doctor in town.(他被认为是镇上最好的医生。——外界评价)
用过去时态时,强调“原本应该做某事,但实际没做”,隐含“遗憾、后悔或不符合预期”。
I was supposed to finish my homework last night, but I watched TV instead.(我昨晚本应该写完作业,但却看了电视。)
They were supposed to come to the party, but they canceled at the last minute.(他们本应该来参加派对,但最后一分钟取消了。)
否定句:在 "be" 动词后加 "not",表示“不应该做某事”(禁止或不符合要求)。
You aren't supposed to smoke in the library.(你不应该在图书馆抽烟。——禁止)
He wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the secret.(他不该把秘密告诉任何人。——违反约定)
疑问句:将 "be" 动词提前,询问“是否应该做某事”。
Am I supposed to bring a gift to the wedding?(我应该带礼物去婚礼吗?——询问习俗)
Are they supposed to arrive early?(他们应该早到吗?——询问安排)
be supposed to:侧重客观要求(规则、约定、他人期待);
should:侧重主观建议(说话者的判断、劝告)。
例:
You should eat more vegetables.(你应该多吃蔬菜。——我建议你)
You are supposed to eat with a fork here.(你应该用叉子吃。——这里的习俗要求)
"be supposed to do sth." 是表达“客观应该”的高频短语,核心是外界的要求或预期,常见于日常对话、规则说明、生活场景中。掌握它的不同时态(现在/过去)和否定/疑问形式,就能准确传达“应该、预期、被认为”等含义啦!