Expressing Obligation (tener que)
To talk about rules, duties, and things you must do, Spanish uses a formula that closely matches the English "have to": the verb tener (to have) + que + an infinitive (the unconjugated action verb).
First, use the present tense form of tener that matches the person who has to do the action:
| yo | tengo |
| tú | tienes |
| él / ella / usted | tiene |
| nosotros / nosotras | tenemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | tenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tienen |
Then, simply add que followed by the action:
| I have to study for the exam. | Tengo que estudiar para el examen. |
| They have to hand in the report tomorrow. | Ellos tienen que entregar el informe mañana. |
| Do you have to hand in the reports now? | ¿Tenéis que entregar los informes ahora? |
Daily Tasks and the Personal "a"
You will use this structure frequently to divide up household chores and daily responsibilities.
Keep in mind that if your responsibility involves caring for or interacting with a specific person or a pet, you must use the personal a before their noun. If the word following a is the masculine article el, they combine to form the contraction al.
| You have to cook and I have to set the table. | Tú tienes que cocinar y yo tengo que poner la mesa. |
| We have to take care of our grandfather. | Tenemos que cuidar a nuestro abuelo. |
| I have to take the dog out to the park. | Tengo que sacar al perro al parque. |
Reflexive Pronouns with Obligations
If the action you have to do is a reflexive verb (like getting yourself up or showering), you can attach the reflexive pronoun directly to the end of the infinitive.
Just remember to change the pronoun (like me or te) so that it matches the person doing the action!
| I have to get up early tomorrow. | Tengo que levantarme temprano mañana. |
| Do you have to shower now? | ¿Tienes que ducharte ahora? |