tengo que estudiar
/tenɡo ke estudjaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I need to study" is translated into Spanish as tengo que estudiar.
This phrase is used to express the necessity or obligation to spend time learning a subject.
Which one should you use?
While tengo que estudiar expresses a practical necessity or obligation, debo estudiar carries a stronger sense of moral or formal duty. You can also use necesito estudiar as a direct alternative, which uses the verb necesitar (to need) instead of the tener que construction.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express necessity using the verb tengo (from tener), you must follow it with the preposition que before using an infinitive verb like estudiar.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo ke estudjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, students might say tengo que estudiar while actually referring to 'cramming' for an exam, a process often called empollar.
- The word que in the phrase tengo que estudiar actually descends from the Latin word quid, which means 'what'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you say you 'have' to study, people might interpret it as a physical possession of a book rather than an obligation if the que is missing.
Examples in context
- Tengo que estudiar más.I need to study harder.This sentence is useful for expressing that you need to study more with tengo que estudiar.Tatoeba #4424435 by pchamorro, translation #3824135 by CK
- Tengo que estudiar matemáticas.I need to study math.This sentence is useful for specifying the subject you need to study with tengo que estudiar.Tatoeba #1248428 by Shishir, translation #258939 by CK
- Tengo que estudiar para el examen.I need to study for the exam.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are deciding what to do on Friday night.
- MaríaQuieres ir al cine conmigo, Daniel?Do you want to go to the cinema with me, Daniel?
- DanielMe encantaría, pero tengo que estudiar.I would love to, but I need to study.
- MaríaEs verdad, el examen es mañana.That's true, the exam is tomorrow.
- DanielSí, así que no puedo salir hoy.Yes, so I can't go out today.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estudiar, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
