![]() For example, the son has some legal issues in the past and to avoid them in the future he has to be a good man. In this sentence there is a strong link with external circumstances. In this sentence there is a strong link with moral values of the speakers or the social norms. These constructions can also be used to express expectations changing mainly the emphasis on the expectation: One has to buy the food in a vegan restaurant or someone has to do it. Hay que comprar la comida en un restaurante vegano.In this sentence we know that it is either Sarah’s turn to buy the food or it is time to change the restaurant to a vegan one. Sarah has to buy the food in a vegan restaurant this time. A Sara le toca comprar la comida en un restaurante vegano esta vez.This case is very similar to “tener que” but there is a hint of expectation more than real obligation. Sarah has to buy the food in a vegan restaurant. Sara ha de comprar la comida en un restaurante vegano.For example, Sarah knows some of the guests are vegan, etc. there are circumstantial influences in this obligation. Sara tiene que comprar la comida en un restaurante vegano.there are moral rules or social norms attached here. Sarah must buy the food in a vegan restaurant. Sara debe comprar la comida en un restaurante vegano.Now let’s compare these 5 ways to express obligation side by side in different scenarios: Toca llamar a todos los clientes ≈ Hay que llamar a todos los clientes Note: It's possible to use the verb “tocar” directly with an infinitive verb, but it will become an impersonal obligation. ¿Te toca cuidar a tu sobrino el fin de semana? - Do you have to take care of your nephew on the weekend? / Is it your turn to take care of your nephew this week? For example:Ī Luis le toca lavar el carro esta semana - Luis has to wash the car this week / It’s Luis’s turn to wash the car this week This verb is used in the same structure as gustar for this purpose. “ Tocar” is often used to express obligation often indicating that it is someone’s turn to do something. Note that in the examples above we are expressing more the expectations than literal obligations or duties. Los bebés han de dormir más de ocho horas - Babies have to sleep more than 8 hours For example:Įlla ha de divulgar la información correcta - She has to disclose the correct information “ Haber de” - In this scenario we have to conjugate “haber” as we do in the “Pretérito perfecto compuesto”, and it is often used to express obligation in a more vague fashion. Hay que eliminar opciones - Some options need to be eliminated Haber de Hay que aspirar la sala - The living room needs to be vacuumed In this case, it would match when we say in English that something needs or has to be done. “ Hay que” - Let’s remember that “haber” is the infinitive form of “hay” in the present, and we can use “hay que + infinitive verb” in order to express an obligation without mentioning whose obligation it is. “ Haber” is used to express obligations in two different ways: “hay que” and “haber de”. Now let’s dive into the other two verbs to express obligation “haber” and “tocar”. We have to finish the project for Friday. Tenemos que terminar el proyecto para el viernes. “Tener” is used more than “deber” in Spanish. These obligations are often imposed by the circumstances. “ Tener” is used to express an external obligation. Ok doctor, I am going to take vacation. Paciente: Bueno doctor, voy a tomar unas vacaciones. If you continue working this way, you are going to have serious health problems. Si continúa trabajando de esta manera va a tener problemas serios de salud. Let's take a look at this conversation between a doctor and the patient:ĭoctor: Señora Martínez, usted debe descansar más. In this scenario “deber” is often translated to ‘should’ in English. It is important to mention that “deber” is also used to express a strong suggestion from one person to another. Los niños deben hacer la tarea - C hildren must do their homework. In this case this verb is used just like the verb ‘must’ in English. These obligations are often imposed by the speaker’s values or social norms. “ Deber” is used to express an internal or moral obligation. Let's dissect these two verbs separately: Deber Although most of our students are familiar with these two verbs when used in periphrasis with another verb, it is still valuable to talk about them before covering other verbs that function in a similar fashion to express obligation in Spanish. Let’s talk about “deber” and “tener” first. This article will cover how to successfully express these obligations in Spanish. From moral values to menial chores, our day to day is filled with a vast collage of duties that dictate our priorities. We all have obligations and things to do in our everyday lives, and these tasks will often differ in their nature.
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