Learn Spanish (Latin America): ¿Tienes que lavar la ropa ahora?

In Spanish, the phrase tener que is a set expression meaning "to have to" do something. You must include que to connect the conjugated verb (tienes, meaning "you have") to the action you need to do (lavar, meaning "to wash").

Why isn't the verb lavar conjugated to match "you"?

When using tener que (to have to), only the first verb (tener) changes to match the person doing the action. The second verb must stay in its basic, unchanged infinitive form (lavar) because it translates to "to wash". You never conjugate both verbs in this pattern.

Why is la ropa singular when the English translation says "clothes"?

In Spanish, ropa is a collective noun, much like the English word "clothing". Even though it refers to multiple items and translates naturally as the plural word "clothes", it is grammatically singular and feminine, which is why it uses la.

Where is the word for "Do" in this question?

Spanish doesn't use helper verbs like "do" or "does" to ask questions. You simply use the normal statement structure—Tienes que lavar (You have to wash)—and frame it with question marks to turn it into a question.