must

An auxiliary verb used to express necessity, obligation, or strong probability.

ruВспомогательный глагол, используемый для выражения необходимости, обязательства или высокой вероятности.esVerbo auxiliar que expresa necesidad, obligación o alta probabilidad.frVerbe auxiliaire exprimant la nécessité, l'obligation ou une forte probabilité.deModalverb, das Notwendigkeit, Verpflichtung oder eine hohe Wahrscheinlichkeit ausdrückt.ptVerbo auxiliar usado para expressar necessidade, obrigação ou alta probabilidade.zh情态动词，表示必要性、义务，或表示很大的可能性。arفعل مساعد يُستعمل للتعبير عن الضرورة أو الإلزام أو الاحتمال القوي.

1. Highly recommended B1 informal

   Something that is considered essential or extremely advisable to do, see, or experience.

   • This new restaurant is a must for anyone who loves Italian food.
   • The museum's new exhibit is an absolute must for art lovers.
   • Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must when you travel to Arizona.

   ruОбязательныйesImprescindiblefrincontournable / à ne pas manquerdeEin MussptImperdívelzh必去arلا بد منه

   Синонимы: compulsoryessentialimperativeindispensablemandatorynecessaryobligatoryrequiredrequisite

   Антонимы: optionalunnecessary

Core modal auxiliary verb expressing strong obligation, necessity, logical deduction, or emphatic recommendation. Unlike 'have to', 'must' typically conveys internal obligation (speaker's authority or conviction) rather than external rules. Has no past tense form; 'had to' substitutes for past obligation. 'Must not/mustn't' expresses prohibition, while logical deduction uses 'must' for high-certainty positive conclusions and 'can't' for negative deductions. Forms a functional contrast with 'should' (weaker advice) and 'have to' (external necessity). Used consistently across all English varieties, though 'have got to' is more common in informal American English. Also prevalent in legal, regulatory, and formal instructional language.

ruМодальный глагол, выражающий строгую обязанность, необходимость, логический вывод или настоятельную рекомендацию; противопоставляется 'have to' (внешнее правило) и не имеет формы прошедшего времени (заменяется на 'had to')esVerbo modal que expresa obligación estricta, necesidad, deducción lógica o recomendación apremiante; se opone a 'tener que' (regla externa) y carece de forma de pasado (se sustituye por 'tuvo que').frVerbe modal exprimant une obligation stricte, une nécessité, une conclusion logique ou une recommandation pressante ; s'oppose à 'have to' (règle externe) et n'a pas de forme au passé (remplacé par 'had to').deModalverb, das eine starke Verpflichtung, Notwendigkeit, einen logischen Schluss oder eine dringende Empfehlung ausdrückt; es steht im Gegensatz zu 'have to' (äußere Regel) und hat kein Präteritum (ersetzt durch 'musste' bzw. 'hatte zu').ptVerbo modal que expressa obrigação estrita, necessidade, dedução lógica ou recomendação enfática; contrasta com 'have to' (regra externa) e não tem forma de passado, sendo substituído por 'had to'.zh表示强烈义务、必要性、逻辑推断或强烈建议的情态动词；与表示外部规则的 'have to' 相对，且没有过去式（过去时用 'had to' 代替）。arفعل مساعد يدل على وجوب أو ضرورة أو استنتاج منطقي أو توصية مؤكدة، ويقابل 'have to' (للالتزام الخارجي) ولا صيغة ماضية له (يُستعاض عنه بـ had to).

1. Strong Obligation or Necessity (Internal) A2 formal

   Expresses a compelling requirement, duty, or necessity originating from the speaker's authority, moral conviction, or personal judgment. This internal obligation contrasts with 'have to', which typically signals external rules or circumstances. 'Must' is common in instructions, rules, personal resolutions, and contexts where the speaker emphasizes urgency or importance. The negative form 'must not/mustn't' conveys prohibition, not absence of obligation (for which 'don't have to' is used).

   • You must submit the application before the deadline to be considered.
   • I must finish this report tonight; the client expects it tomorrow morning.
   • Students must wear identification badges while on campus.
   • We must reduce our carbon emissions to mitigate climate change.
   • You must not share your password with anyone under any circumstances.

   ruСтрогая обязанность или необходимость (внутренняя)esObligación o necesidad internafrObligation forte ou nécessité internedeStarke Verpflichtung oder Notwendigkeit (intern)ptObrigação ou Necessidade Forte (Interna)zh强烈义务或必要性（内在）arوجوب أو ضرورة ملزمة (داخلية)

2. Logical Deduction or High-Certainty Inference B1 formal

   Used to express a conclusion that the speaker considers virtually certain based on available evidence, reasoning, or general knowledge. This epistemic use of 'must' indicates strong probability (near 100% confidence) in positive statements. For negative deductions (impossibility), English uses 'can't' or 'cannot', not 'must not'. Common in analytical, diagnostic, or explanatory contexts where the speaker infers a likely truth from observable facts.

   • You've been traveling all day; you must be exhausted.
   • The lights are off and nobody's answering — they must have left already.
   • She speaks French, Spanish, and Mandarin fluently; she must have studied languages extensively.
   • If the train departed at 9 AM and the journey takes three hours, it must be arriving now.
   • He always carries an umbrella; it must rain frequently where he lives.

   ruЛогический вывод или умозаключение с высокой степенью уверенностиesDeducción lógica o inferencia de alta certezafrDéduction logique ou inference à haute certitudedeLogische Schlussfolgerung mit hoher SicherheitptDedução lógica ou inferência de alta certezazh逻辑推断或高度确信的推测arالاستنتاج المنطقي أو اليقين القوي

3. Emphatic Recommendation or Strong Advice B1 informal

   Offers forceful suggestions, urgent recommendations, or compelling advice where the speaker strongly believes an action is beneficial or advisable. More emphatic than 'should' or 'ought to', this usage conveys personal conviction about the value or importance of the recommended action. Common in persuasive communication, expert guidance, health advice, or motivational contexts. The tone is encouraging rather than coercive, distinguishing it from obligation uses.

   • You must try the chocolate cake at that bakery — it's absolutely incredible!
   • If you visit Tokyo, you must experience a traditional onsen at least once.
   • You must read this book; it completely changed my perspective on leadership.
   • We must catch up soon — I have so much to tell you about the project!
   • You must see a doctor if these symptoms persist for more than a week.

   ruНастойчивая рекомендация или сильный советesRecomendación enfática o consejo firmefrRecommandation emphatique ou conseil pressantdeNachdrückliche Empfehlung oder starker RatptRecomendação enfática ou conselho fortezh强烈建议或极力推荐arتوصية مؤكدة أو نصيحة قوية

4. Prohibition (Must Not / Mustn't) A2 formal

   In negative form, expresses a strict prohibition, rule, or warning against performing an action. 'Must not' conveys that an action is forbidden, dangerous, or strongly discouraged by authority, safety requirements, or social norms. This differs from 'don't have to', which indicates absence of obligation (i.e., something is optional). Common in safety instructions, legal regulations, parental guidance, and institutional policies.

   • You must not enter the construction site without a hard hat and safety vest.
   • Passengers must not use electronic devices during takeoff and landing.
   • You mustn't disclose confidential client information to third parties.
   • Children must not swim in the pool without adult supervision.
   • Employees must not access company systems from unsecured public networks.

   ruЗапрет (Must Not / Mustn't)esProhibición (must not / mustn't)frInterdiction (ne pas devoir)deVerbot (Must Not / Mustn't)ptProibição (Must Not / Mustn't)zh禁止（Must Not / Mustn't）arالنهي (يجب ألا)

5. Formal or Legal Requirement C1 formal legal

   Used in official documents, contracts, regulations, or formal instructions to stipulate mandatory actions, compliance standards, or procedural necessities. This deontic usage carries institutional authority and often appears in legal texts, technical specifications, academic guidelines, or policy documents. 'Must' in this context is preferred over 'shall' in modern drafting for clarity, though both convey binding obligation. The impersonal, authoritative tone makes it unsuitable for casual conversation but essential for precise regulatory language.

   • All applicants must provide two forms of government-issued identification.
   • The software must comply with GDPR requirements for data protection.
   • Each laboratory sample must be labeled with date, time, and researcher ID.
   • Contractors must complete safety training before commencing work on site.
   • The manuscript must adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines for submission.

   ruФормальное или юридическое требованиеesObligación legal o formalfrObligation légale ou réglementairedeFormelle oder rechtliche VerpflichtungptRequisito formal ou legalzh正式或法律要求arشرط رسمي أو قانوني

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a necessary or essential thing, grape juice before or during fermentation, or the quality of smelling or tasting old, stale, or mouldy.

ruСуществительное с несколькими значениями: может обозначать необходимую или обязательную вещь, виноградный сок до или во время ферментации, или качество пахнуть или иметь привкус старого, затхлого или плесневелого.esSustantivo con varios significados: puede denotar algo necesario u obligatorio, el zumo de uva antes o durante la fermentación, o la cualidad de oler o saber a rancio, mohoso o enmohecido.frSubstantif avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner une chose nécessaire ou obligatoire, le jus de raisin avant ou pendant la fermentation, ou la qualité de sentir ou d'avoir un goût de vieux, de renfermé ou de moisi.deSubstantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: bezeichnet etwas Notwendiges oder Verpflichtendes, den Traubensaft vor oder während der Gärung sowie die Eigenschaft, nach Altem, Moderigem oder Schimmeligem zu riechen oder zu schmecken.ptSubstantivo com vários sentidos: pode designar algo necessário ou obrigatório, o mosto (suco de uva antes ou durante a fermentação) ou a qualidade de ter cheiro ou sabor de velho, mofo ou bolor.zh多义词名词：可指必须做的事或必需品；也可指发酵前或发酵过程中的葡萄汁；还可指陈旧、发霉或霉味。arاسم له عدة معانٍ: يدل على الشيء الضروري أو الواجب، أو عصير العنب قبل التخمر أو أثناءه، أو صفة الرائحة أو الطعم العفن أو المتزنخ.

1. Necessary or essential thing A2 informal

   Something that is required or indispensable.

   • A good dictionary is a must for learning English.
   • Warm clothes are a must in this cold weather.
   • This book is a must-read for all history fans.

   ruНеобходимостьescosa imprescindiblefrchose indispensabledeNotwendigkeitptNecessidadezh必需品arضرورة

   Синонимы: essentialfundamentalimperativeindispensablenecessityneedprerequisiterequirementrequisite

   Антонимы: choiceextraluxuryoption

2. Grape juice before or during fermentation C1 formal culinary

   The unfermented or partially fermented juice of grapes, used in winemaking.

   • The winemaker pressed the grapes to extract the must.
   • The must was left to ferment in oak barrels.
   • Sugar is sometimes added to the must to increase alcohol content.

   ruСуслоesMostofrMoût de raisindeMostptMostozh葡萄汁arعصير العنب غير المختمر

3. Quality of smelling or tasting old or stale or mouldy C1 formal

   A musty or stale odor or flavor, often associated with dampness or age.

   • The old cellar had a distinct must about it.
   • The bread had a must that indicated it was no longer fresh.
   • He detected a must in the antique furniture.

   ruЗатхлостьesOlor o sabor a humedadfrMoisideMuffigkeitptMofozh霉味arعفونة

   Синонимы: dampnessmoldinessmustinessstaleness

• musts plural form
• musts' possessive plural form
• must's possessive singular form