what about "discedere non debeo"?
If "discedere debeo" in latin means "I ought to leave", what about "discedere non debeo"? Is it "I ought not to leave (I should stay)" or "I do not need to leave"? Does "non" negate the action or the obligation?

Question

Answer

Hello Benson,

"discedere non debeo" does mean "I ought not to leave" - it's almost like, "I don't have the right to leave".  If you want to negate the obligation you would have to use something other than "debere" in your sentence, "oportet" for example.  "mihi non oportet discedere" would be (I think!) "I don't have to leave."

Hope this helps,

Alvin