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.
Tenemos que salir todos los días.
We have to go out every day.
Note that when you use tener que + infinitivo it means to have to + infinitive.
You cannot omit que!
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Tienes que comer sano.
You have to eat healthily.
Tienen que llegar a tiempo.
They have to arrive on time.
Tenéis que hacer la compra.
You have to do the shopping.
Tiene que salir ahora.
He has to leave now.
Tenemos que salir todos los días.
We have to go out every day.
Tengo que ir al colegio.
I have to go to school.
Micro kwiz: Expressing obligation with tener que
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Else
Kwiziq community member
5 November 2017
1 reply
what's the difference between 'Tienes que comer sano'. and 'Il faut comer sano.'
Gene
Kwiziq community member
5 November 2017
5/11/17
The difference is between obligation and necessity (or a want of something).
https://www.thoughtco.com/expressing-obligation-spanish-3079893
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKFTh4tly38
There are instances where there is no difference in meaning:
tenemos que ir rápido
hace falta ir rápido