Tengo que vs Necesito?

Question

Getting a little confused as to when the two. If think if need is a verb by itself, when you "need" an object you use necesito?

Example-I need a plane ticket-Necesito un billete de avión. I need a glass of water-Necesito un vaso de agua

But if it used as an auxillary verb as in I need to study or I have to do something:

Tengo que estudiar. Which also translates to I have to study or I have to go to the gym-Tengo que bajar de peso. You would use tengo que?

Is that correct?

"To need" and "to have to" both work as Modals in English. Both are always followed by a "base" verb. - ian-hill, Sep 26, 2012

Answer 1

You are right on the money with your interpretations...

Tengo que = an obligation to do something

Necesitar = a need for something

Brava, Mariana. Como siempre. - francobollo, Sep 26, 2012

Exactly - but in Bolivia people wondered what the heck I was takling about :) and don;t confuse the issue with "must" - ian-hill, Sep 26, 2012

Thanks Mariana for this and previous responses - bfpsu, Sep 26, 2012

Answer 2

To need (to do something)= Necesitar (hacer algo)...

To have to (do something)= Tener que (hacer algo)....

It's as simple as that.