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Expressing Obligation
How to Express Obligation in Spanish
In Spanish, there are two main ways to express obligation or necessity: "tener que + infinitive" and "hay que + infinitive". "Tener que" is used when the obligation applies to a specific person, while "hay que" is used for general obligations that apply to everyone.
Obligation Expressions
| Structure | Usage | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tener que + infinitive | Personal obligation | Tengo que estudiar | I have to study |
| Tienes que + infinitive | Personal obligation | Tienes que comer | You have to eat |
| Tiene que + infinitive | Personal obligation | Ella tiene que trabajar | She has to work |
| Hay que + infinitive | General obligation | Hay que estudiar | One must study / It is necessary to study |