'Hay que' to mean "let's"

Question

My Spanish teacher uses 'hay que' to mean "let's". As in, she translates 'let's do something together' as 'hay que hacer algo juntos.' I just want to know if this is a common construction, or not so common.

Answer 1

They weight of obligations that tener que, hay que, deber, haber de gives varies greatly regionally and even between individuals. Hay que is normally translated as anything from must to should (ought to), but let's would just be a more polite (less demanding) translation. I would be more likely to say it was a poor use, because let's takes away the impersonal nuance of the periphrasis, than its weight of obligation.

Hay que + infinitive is used to express the idea of "one must do something" or, "it is necessary to do something." It is a more general expression and since there is no subject, the verb form hay is always used.

I was wondering if it might be a regional thing. Good answer Q. - Goyo, Dec 18, 2011

"tener que" is what we are taught - Tasear, Dec 18, 2011

that's why it confused me a little, because I've always thought of it as an impersonal request - Himself12794, Dec 18, 2011

Region: arizona - Tasear, Dec 18, 2011

hmmm. that would explain it, seeing as she learned english there - Himself12794, Dec 18, 2011

I agree Q :) - FELIZ77, Dec 18, 2011

Answer 2

Hay que can mean "It is necessary", so I don't think it's wrong, per se, but maybe a little odd to my ears.

I think "Vamos a hacer algo juntos" would be far more common.

also in this matter, how exactly do 'vamos a hacer algo juntos' and 'hagamos algo juntos' differ? as hagamos is the first person plural imperative? - Himself12794, Dec 18, 2011

Answer 3

''Hay que + infinitive is used to express the idea of "one must do something" or, "it is necessary to do something." It is a more general expression and since there is no subject, the verb form hay is always used.''

I agree with the What Q has already said and the above comments. Hay que is usually used to express an obligation. eg: Hay que lavar los platos o Hay que poner la mesa

= Someone should wash-up the dishes/plates or Somone should lay the table.

I have never heard ''hay que'' used to mean ''lets''. It sounds strange used in this way but may not, as such, be wrong. I would like to hear what Spanish natives think before recommending this way to you or others.

Let is usually translated using the subjunctive mood

Let the show begin

= Que empiece el espectáculo

But Let's (= let us) **by contrast, and please note the difference, is normally translated using phrases like **Vamos al cine = Let's go to the cinema.

I hope this helps

Corrijan mi español, por favor

Answer 4

also in this matter, how exactly do 'vamos a hacer algo juntos' and 'hagamos algo juntos' differ? as hagamos is the first person plural imperative? **- Himself12794 **

I think you're pretty much splitting hairs there.

You're literally saying:

We're going to do something together- (Normally taken as a suggestion)

-and-

Let us do something together.

What's the difference? ¡Nada!

thank you! - Himself12794, Dec 18, 2011