Tener que and hay que
A1Grammar path · Lesson 23 of 86 · Stage A1 · Questions, negatives and plans
When you want to talk about obligation or necessity, Spanish has two very common structures. Tener que + infinitive says that a specific person has to do something, and tener changes with the subject: tengo que, tienes que, tienen que. Hay que + infinitive has no subject, never changes form, and states what anyone has to do, like a general rule. Learners often mix the two up. Ask yourself whether a specific person has to act. If so, use tener que. If it is a rule for everyone, use hay que.
Practise this lesson · 10 sentences
Form
sujeto + tener (conjugado) + que + infinitivosujeto + no + tener (conjugado) + que + infinitivo¿tener (conjugado) + que + infinitivo...?hay que + infinitivoWhen to use it
A specific person's obligation
Use tener que to say that someone in particular has to do something. Tener agrees with the subject.
General rules for everyone
Use hay que for what anyone has to do, without pointing at a particular person. Hay que never changes form.
Strong advice and enthusiastic recommendations
Both structures can push someone to do something you really recommend, just like 'you have to try it' in English.
Tener que and hay que
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tener que and hay que?
Tener que has a specific subject and is conjugated: tengo que, tienes que. Hay que has no subject and states what anyone has to do.
Does hay que change with the subject?
No. In the present it is always hay que, whoever you mean. Only the tense changes, for example había que in the past.
Does no tener que mean something is forbidden?
No. No tienes que pagar means you don't need to pay, not that you mustn't pay. For a prohibition, use no puedes or no se puede.
Can I leave out the que?
No. Tengo estudiar is wrong; say tengo que estudiar. Without que, the structure no longer expresses obligation.
How is tener que different from deber?
Tener que stresses an obligation imposed by circumstances. Deber usually expresses duty or moral advice.