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Phrase · 😔 Regrets and reproaches

Deberías haberme llamado antes.

You should have called me earlier.

B2regretting reproachingAudio · coming soon
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Why every word is where it is

Deberías1verbyou shoulddeber · conditional · 2nd sing.haberme2verbhave (+ me)haber · infinitivellamado3verbcalledllamar · participle · past · masc. · sing.antesadverbearlier, before.
  • Deberías → haberme: obj
  • llamado → haberme: obj

Why it's built this way

The notes match the numbers above.

  1. 1
    Deberías (conditional of deber) + haber + participle: a reproach about something that didn’t happen. Past unreal conditions: pluperfect subjunctive and conditional perfect →
  2. 2
    The pronoun attaches to the infinitive: haberme. It can also go first: Me deberías haber llamado. Never between: ✗ haber me llamado. Double object pronouns (se lo) and clitic placement →
  3. 3
    llamar = to call (on the phone).

Variations

  • Me deberías haber llamado antes.
  • Tendrías que haberme llamado antes.
  • Debiste llamarme antes.