What is the difference between 必须, 得, 必需, and 需要?

Question

I know that all of them mean "to have to" in some form or another, but are they interchangeable?

Answer 1

First let's clarify the definitions of 須 and 需

須： Adverb/verb, meaning should, must; 《必須，必定，須要》

你（必須）參加這次會議

You must participate in this meeting.

需: Compound, meaning need, require; example compounds: 《需要(require)，需求(demand)，必需(need)，急需(urgent need)》

植物生長（必需）陽光和雨露

Plants require sunlight and raindrops to grow

It is very easy to mix up 必須 and 必需, even for native speakers, as they have the same pronunciation (cantonese and mandarin) and very similar meanings. In english, both can be represented by "need". "You need to participate in this meeting" and "Plants need sunlight and raindrops to grow".

The easiest way to distinguish the two is to see whether it is a noun or a verb that comes after it. If it is a noun, use 必需， 需要; if it is a verb, use 必須.

得 is quite interesting because it can be used to replace both 必須 or 必需

有錯誤就得批評;做得好就得表揚

Wrong doing needs to be critiqued, good work needs to be complimented

這公工程得三個月才能完成

It takes 3 months to finish this construction

Note that 需要 can be used as a noun as "need(s)"

Answer 2

As a general rule,

"須" refers to something mandatory due to regulations, rules, logics, culture, etc. It is usually used as an auxiliary verb (助動詞) or adverb.

"需" refers to something essential or definitely required. It may be followed by a verb, though the sentence will become clumsy in many cases, e.g. "植物需接受適當的陽光和雨露". It is usually used as a noun or verb.

For regulations or contracts, "應" > "須" > "需" > "得". "應" means undeniable responsibility. "得" is favorable but not mandatory.

For official documents, "須" refers to actions and "需" refers to objects. e.g. "須會商" (discussion required) vs "需會商之案件" (file requiring discussion).

These characters are very confusing, not to mention grey areas and common misuses. Have fun ~~~~

Answer 3

I think the short answer is

must 必须 have to 得 need 需要

example

First Certificate Expert Coursebook By Jan Bell and Roger Gower said:

• must is used to express strong, personal obligation or necessity:

I must post the letter straightaway. (I, personally, feel it is necessary)

我必须把信直接寄出去

• have (got) to is used when the situation or someone else (not the speaker) makes it necessary:

I have to work late tonight. My boss says so.

我不得不工作到很晚。因为我老板让我这样做。

-need, you personally need something to do so

I need to invite some friends.(so this party will be awesome)

我需要邀请一些朋友（这样聚会将会很棒）