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debía haber

should have

→ deber
phrase Rare #34,430
should have Used with a past participle to express an obligation or expectation that was not fulfilled, often implying criticism or regret.
SP: Debía haber llamado antes.
EN: I should have called earlier.

Tom debía haber escuchado a Mary con más cuidado.

Tom should have listened to Mary more carefully.

Tom debía haber invitado a Mary, pero no lo hizo.

Tom should have invited Mary, but he didn’t.

Tom no debía haber hecho esperar tanto a Mary.

Tom shouldn't have kept Mary waiting so long.

Tom debía haber ayudado a Mary a mover el sillón.

Tom should have helped Mary move the armchair.

Una bofetada en la infancia debía haber ayudado.

A slap in the face during childhood should have helped.

— Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Tom debía haber esperado a Mary.

Tom should have waited for Mary.

Yo debía haber detenido a tu padre.

I should have stopped your father.

— ¡Vivir! (1994)

Ella debía haber esperado a Mary.

She should have waited for Mary.