A2 Spanish grammar
Spanish Obligation Expressions: Tener Que, Hay Que, and Deber
Spanish separates a personal obligation from a general rule or recommendation. Tener que names who must act, while hay que leaves the person general.
Spanish obligation expressions: Use tener que for a personal obligation
Conjugate tener for the subject, add que, and keep the required action in the infinitive.
Tengo que trabajar mañana.Quick check
We have to leave.
Use hay que for general necessity
Hay que plus an infinitive expresses what people generally need to do without naming a grammatical subject.
Hay que reservar con antelación.Use deber for duty or advice
Conjugate deber and add an infinitive to express duty or a recommendation; context controls the strength.
Debes descansar más.Common mistakes
Tengo trabajar mañana.
Tengo que trabajar mañana.
Tener que requires que.
Yo hay que reservar.
Tengo que reservar.
Use tener que when a specific yo carries the obligation.
Debes que descansar.
Debes descansar.
Deber is followed directly by the infinitive, without que.
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Obligation expressions FAQ
What does obligation expressions cover?
Spanish separates a personal obligation from a general rule or recommendation. Tener que names who must act, while hay que leaves the person general.
What is the first rule to remember?
Conjugate tener for the subject, add que, and keep the required action in the infinitive.
What is another important A2 pattern?
Hay que plus an infinitive expresses what people generally need to do without naming a grammatical subject.
How can I practise Spanish obligation expressions?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.