Devoir

Question

We are told that devoir can sometimes mean 'to need to [do]' yet only one example is given and no further explanation. In the example devoir is followed by a verb in the infinitive. Is that how devoir can be used?

Accepted Answer

Hi John,
This is quite subtle and it is when 'must' equals an imperative need to do something, rather than an obligation as the following examples will illustrate:
Je dois aller chez ma mère ce matin, elle ne va pas bien.
Je dois aller aux toilettes.
Je dois passer à la banque, je n'ai plus d'argent.
You would use 'devoir' rather than 'avoir besoin de' and as you have noticed it is followed by another verb in the infinitive.
Hope this helps!

Answer

Merci Cécile. Maintenant je comprends.