The verb devoir usually means must / to have to (see Conjugate devoir in Le Présent (present tense)).
However, in past context, its meaning changes depending on whether you use Passé composé or Imparfait.
Devoir in Imparfait = was supposed to [do]
Ils devaient venir ce soir, mais ils ont annulé à la dernière minute.They were supposed to come tonight, but they cancelled at the last minute.
-> Here we don't know if she fulfilled that obligation.
When conjugated in Imparfait, devoir refers to a past obligation, without specifying whether it was met or not.
Actually, in most cases, the obligation was not met.
Actually, in most cases, the obligation was not met.
To conjugate devoir in Imparfait, see Conjugate regular verbs in L'Imparfait (imperfect tense)
Devoir in Passé composé = had to [do] / must have [done]
When conjugated in Passé composé, devoir can either refer to:
- a past obligation that was met.
or
- the likeliness of an action having taken place, a hypothesis on a past situation.
- a past obligation that was met.
or
- the likeliness of an action having taken place, a hypothesis on a past situation.
To conjugate devoir in Passé composé, see Conjugate voir, devoir, pouvoir, boire, croire, savoir, lire, taire (+ avoir) in Le Passé Composé (conversational past)
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Examples and resources
Nous devions nous rejoindre à 17h. Qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?We were supposed to meet at 5pm. What happened ?
J'ai trouvé l'écharpe de Sophie. Elle a dû l'oublier.I found Sophie's scarf. She must have forgotten it.
Ils devaient venir ce soir, mais ils ont annulé à la dernière minute.They were supposed to come tonight, but they cancelled at the last minute.