Tener que & Hay que
What is the difference between tener que and hay que?
5 Answers
As already mentioned, "Tener que..." is active voice which makes the obligated person the subject of the sentence and therefore a personal issue.
"Hay que ....." is passsive voice which makes the thing needing to be done the subject of the sentence and therefore a non-personal issue (a safe way to tell someone to do something).
"You need to pay the bill" ...... "Tienes que pagar la cuenta." Active voice
"The bill needs to be paid" ...... Hay que pagar la cuenta." Passive voice
Hay que is an impersonal command that someone should…..
Tener que – more direct command - Someone has to do something
As I understand tener que and hay que, tener que is more of a command, it's firm. Hay que is not quite so firm, and is impersonal? I know one of the lessons brings this out real well. Here is the link to Lesson 1-13.
Just to comment, you should probably say haber que [or haber de] just as you say tener que as haber can be conjugated in other than present tense (hay) and still have the meaning of obligation.
Tengo que hacerlo. I have to do it.
Hay que hacerlo. One has to do it. (I think) or maybe - It has to be done.
Must and have to.
and depending on context shall and should
