Lesson 7
Verbs that express obligation
Indicating an obligation is done with three different verbs in Spanish, and each of those is used for different situations.
- Haber que (to have to): (necessity)
– Hay que estudiar todos los días. (You have to study every day)
– Hay que sembrar para cosechar (It needs planting for harvesting)
– ¿Hay que volver? (Do we have to return?)
- Tener que (to have to): (personal)
– Tengo que asistir a una sesión. (I have to attend a session.)
– Tengo que regresar a mi trabajo. (I have to get back to work.)
– Tienen que hacerlo. (They have to do it.)
- Deber (to have to): (Generally with a moral appreciation)
– Los niños deben respetar a sus padres. (Children must respect their parents.)
– Todos debemos cumplir con la ley. (We must all comply with the law.)
– Debemos ayudar a los enfermos. (We must help the ill.)
