该
gāi
Should; this
该 (gāi) — do what should be done: 该 (gāi)X就 (jiù)X
该 (gāi) + Verb + （就 (jiù)）+ Verb，该 (gāi) + Verb + （就 (jiù)）+ Verb
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
该Action就Action，该Action就Action
pale — also possible
Rule structure
该 (gāi)X（就 (jiù)）X，该 (gāi)Y（就 (jiù)）Y advises doing what is appropriate or called for without hesitation: “if it needs saying, say it; if it needs doing, do it”. Each half repeats its own action: X in the first, Y in the second. 就 (jiù) emphasizes proceeding directly to the action and can be omitted.
Rule structure
该 (gāi)X（就 (jiù)）X，该 (gāi)Y（就 (jiù)）Y advises doing what is appropriate or called for without hesitation: “if it needs saying, say it; if it needs doing, do it”. Each half repeats its own action: X in the first, Y in the second. 就 (jiù) emphasizes proceeding directly to the action and can be omitted.
Examples
该说就说，该做就做。
Gāi shuō jiù shuō, gāi zuò jiù zuò.
Say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done.
Examples
该说就说，该做就做。
Gāi shuō jiù shuō, gāi zuò jiù zuò.
Say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “do what should be done: 该X就X” in Chinese with 该?
Use the structure: 该 (gāi) + Verb + （就 (jiù)）+ Verb，该 (gāi) + Verb + （就 (jiù)）+ Verb. For example: 该说就说，该做就做。 — “Say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
该说就说，该做就做。 — “Say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B