Correct translation for "I need to practice my Spanish."

Question

The phrase "I need to practice my Spanish"-- I would begin with "Necesito..." (for "I need") but I have read the following translations: "Me falta practica en espanol" or "Tengo que practicar mi espanol." Which is correct and why? Why wouldn't "Necesito" be the correct beginning of this question?

Answer 1

Tengo que ... and Necesito ... mean "I have to..." and "I need to...".

Me falta practica ... means more like "I lack practice ... "

If you were writing in English, how would you decide "I have to..." vs. "I need to..." ?

great answer - DR1960, Oct 26, 2010

Answer 2

Deber means to have to do something. So you could also say Debo practicar mi español. (I have to practice my Spanish./I must practice my Spanish./I should practice my Spanish.

Answer 3

Just another question where the poster hasn't thought the question through. Remember the saying, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Yes, cat context is everything :-) - pesta, Oct 26, 2010