English–Spanish
“have to” in Spanish
Spanish
Pronunciation
IPA/deˈβeɾ/
Example
Yo debo estudiar para el examen.
I have to study for the exam.
How to say “have to” in Spanish
“Have to” in Spanish is deber.
A person holding an unpaid bill in one hand and a responsibility checklist in the other.
Example sentences with deber
Se debe apagar el teléfono en el auditorio.
People should turn off their phones in the auditorium.
Tips for using deber
- Deber + infinitive usually marks obligation or moral duty, deber de + infinitive often expresses probability, and tener que conveys stronger or external necessity.