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verbsCard 97 of 100

hay que vs tener que

Both express obligation. Hay que is impersonal — 'one has to'. Tener que is personal and names who must do it.

hay que

Impersonal necessity — a general rule for everyone, no subject. Only the 'hay' form is used in the present.

  • Hay que esperar.

    We have to wait. / One has to wait.

    No subject. A general or shared necessity.

  • No hay que preocuparse.

    There's no need to worry.

    No hay que = there's no need to. Not 'it's forbidden'.

  • Habrá que ver.

    We'll have to see.

    Future: habrá que. Past: había que.

tener que

Personal obligation — a specific person must do something.

  • Tengo que irme.

    I have to go.

    The subject is 'I'. Conjugates.

  • Tienes que probarlo.

    You have to try it.

    Personal recommendation.

  • Tuvimos que esperar dos horas.

    We had to wait two hours.

    Preterite tuvimos. Obligation completed in the past.

Tricky bit

'No tienes que ir' = you don't have to go (it's optional). 'No hay que ir' = one shouldn't go / there's no need. Spanish negation of obligation can mean 'don't have to' or 'must not' depending on the verb, so check the context.