"Hay Que" & "Tener Que"...???

Question

I do not understand the translation "Someone should" or "Hay que". "Hay" is a verb and the meaning of it does not fit the translation. The same with "Tener." Overall, I just do not understand this translation.

Someone should = Hay que

Someone has to = Tener que (conjugated to proper subject)

PLEASE HELP ME SOMEBODY!!

Answer 1

Hay que and tener que are phrases that can't be translated exactly word-for-word. That's common.

Hay que = one must (someone must, someone should)
Tener que = to have to

Lo que hay que hacer en tiempos de crisis = Things to do in times of crisis (What one must do during times of crisis).
Tengo que trabajar cada día = I have to work every day.

Hay que is more impersonal - One (everyone, maybe) must do something. Tener que is more specific - Someone (me, you, she) has to do something.

Answer 2

So, when you say "I have to go", does that "have" fit the usual meaning of "to have"? Let's see: "What do you have? To go. (!!!!)". Or "Are you going anywhere? To stay here", as in "I am going to stay here". Think of it: going... to stay, where going and staying are opposite actions.

The above metaphors are called periphrases in linguistics, and basically means that you cannot translate them word by word.

Lazarus, as always, I really understand things when you explain them! - billygoat, Apr 21, 2011