Spanish · 0:24
How to say “I have to” in Spanish
Hear tengo que and tenemos que in a short Spanish lesson. Read the examples and practice talking about something you need to do.
By Fabling · A shared lesson, free to watch
Read along belowPlay when you’re ready. Subtitles are available in the player.
Read and understand
Spanish from the video
Read the Spanish, then check its English meaning. Listen again when you want to hear the phrasing.
Tengo que trabajar.
I have to work.
Tenemos que preparar la comida.
We have to prepare the food.
Full narration transcript
How do you say, I have to, in Spanish? Tengo que trabajar. I have to work. Tenemos que preparar la comida. We have to prepare the food. Use tener que, followed by a verb. Change tener to match the person.
A closer look
Use a form of tener, then que, then an infinitive: tengo que trabajar. The second verb stays in its infinitive form.
Tengo is used with yo; tenemos is used with nosotros or nosotras. You can leave the subject pronoun out when the person is clear.
Your turn
Try one reply.
Say one thing you have to do today.
Show an example
Tengo que preparar la comida. — I have to prepare the food.
Something else to try
All videos →
0:25Spanish · Video with transcript
Busco or busca? Spanish present-tense verbs
Listen to yo busco and Ana busca. See how the ending changes with the person, then try another regular -ar verb.
Watch the lesson
0:23Spanish · Video with transcript
What does lo mean in “Carlos lo prueba”?
Hear how lo replaces el melón in a short Spanish example. Follow the transcript and try replacing another masculine noun.
Watch the lesson
0:18Spanish · Video with transcript
Haz café: giving a familiar instruction in Spanish
Listen to pon and haz in a kitchen scene. Read the Spanish sentence, its English meaning, and try a short instruction.
Watch the lesson