Expressing obligation with tener que in Spanish

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2024-11-11
34 questions

Expressing obligation with "tener que" in Spanish

We express obligation when talking about things we have to do. Look at these examples:

Tengo que ir al colegio.I have to go to school.

Tienes que comer sano.You have to eat healthily.

Tiene que salir ahora.He has to leave now.

No tienes que traer nada a la fiesta.You don't have to bring anything to the party.

Tenemos que salir todos los días.We have to go out  every day.

Tenéis que hacer la compra.You [plural informal] have to do the shopping.

No tenemos que pagar la multa.We don't have to pay the fine.

Tienen que llegar a tiempo.They have to arrive on time.

Note that when you use tener que + infinitivo it means to have to + infinitive.

You cannot omit que!

 

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Tenemos que salir todos los días.We have to go out  every day.
No tenemos que pagar la multa.We don't have to pay the fine.
No tienes que traer nada a la fiesta.You don't have to bring anything to the party.
Tenéis que hacer la compra.You [plural informal] have to do the shopping.
Tengo que ir al colegio.I have to go to school.
Tiene que salir ahora.He has to leave now.
Tienen que llegar a tiempo.They have to arrive on time.
Tienes que comer sano.You have to eat healthily.
Expressing obligation with tener que in Spanish
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