ter de + Infinitive

Obligation with Ter De

Level 5

Ter de + infinitive means have to, just like ter que: Teño de ir a Ourense (I have to go to Ourense).

How It Works

Two ways to say have to

  • ter que + infinitive: the usual choice in conversation.
  • ter de + infinitive: the same meaning, more traditional, common in literature and careful writing.

Both are correct, and the choice between them is a matter of style.

All tenses. Only ter changes: Tiven de deixar o coche no taller (I had to leave the car at the garage); Terás de levantarte cedo (you will have to get up early).

Do not mix the two. Use either de or que, never both. Also keep ter de separate from haber de: hei de ir and teño que ir are both correct, but hei que ir is not.

Other ways to express obligation include deber, and the impersonal hai que and cómpre.

Examples (5)

  1. Teño de ir a Ourense.

    I have to go to Ourense.

  2. Temos de falar con calma.

    We have to talk calmly.

  3. Tiven de deixar o coche no taller.

    I had to leave the car at the garage.

    Only ter changes tense; the infinitive stays the same.

  4. Terás de levantarte cedo.

    You will have to get up early.

    The pronoun te is attached to the infinitive.

  5. Tedes de probar este queixo.

    You all have to try this cheese.

Common Mistakes

  • Using both de and que.

    Teño de que ir ao médico.
    Teño de ir ao médico.

    Choose one linking word: teño de ir or teño que ir.

  • Mixing haber de with ter que.

    Hei que ir ao médico.
    Hei de ir ao médico.

    With a subject, haber takes de: hei de ir. Only impersonal hai que uses que. You can also say Teño que ir ao médico.

How It Connects

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ter de + InfinitiveLevel 5Obligation with Ter De

Learn This First

Ter de expresses obligation with the same basic structure as ter que.

Words in This Pattern