new Subjuntivo de "debería tener"

Hola Ziqing Z.

In Spanish, the conditional tense (like debería) does not have its own subjunctive form. When a verb is required in the subjunctive, Spanish uses the imperfect subjunctive instead (debiera / debiese), not a “conditional subjunctive”.

So your example is actually correct:

Here’s why:

• No pienso que… expresses a negative opinion, which triggers the subjunctive.

• Debiera / debiese is the subjunctive form of deber, used instead of debería in this context.

In short:

• Debería → conditional (used in statements, opinions stated directly)

• Debiera / debiese → subjunctive (used after expressions that require the subjunctive)

So yes, your sentence is well-formed and matches how Spanish handles this structure.

¡Muy buena observación!

Saludos

Silvia

Hola Luke T.

In your sentence, “no pienso que…” triggers the subjunctive, so the verb deber must be in a subjunctive form.

However, “deba” is not the right choice here, because deba is the present subjunctive, and it would refer to a present or general obligation.

What you want to express is a hypothetical or evaluative opinion about what the mayor should earn, not a present obligation. In Spanish, that nuance is expressed with the imperfect subjunctive:

No pienso que el alcalde debiera / debiese tener un salario más bajo.

Un saludo

Silvia