debí haberme

I should have

→ deber

phrase Rare #33,965

I should have Used before a past participle to express that the speaker ought to have done something. With no, it means “I shouldn’t have.” The me refers to the speaker in reflexive verbs, such as haberme ido (“to have left”).

SP: Debí haberme preparado mejor para el examen.

EN: I should have prepared better for the exam.

No debí haberme ido a la cama tan tarde, ayer.

I shouldn't have gone to bed so late yesterday.

Debí haberme dado cuenta.

I should have realized.

— La gran enfermedad del amor (2017)

No debí haberme levantado tan temprano.

I shouldn't have gotten up so early.

Nunca debí haberme ido.

I should never have left.

— Return to Silent Hill (2026)

A veces me pregunto si no debí haberme convertido en abogado.

Sometimes I wonder if I should have become a lawyer.

No debí haberme ido caminando a casa yo solo por la noche.

I shouldn't have walked home alone at night.

Debí haberme deshecho de ella.

I should have gotten rid of it.

— El castillo en el cielo (1986)

No debí haberme quedado despierto toda la noche.

I shouldn’t have stayed up all night.