tengo algo que hacer

Question

I came across this sentence in SpanishDict when I looked up 'to have.' :" tengo algo que hacer" What is the 'que' for?

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Answer 1

I agree with Gingo that it is simply sentence structure and doesn´t necessarily indicate an obligation to do something, although it can depending on context.

Tengo algo que hacer .... I have something to do

Tengo algo que ver ... I have something to see

Tengo algo que comer ... I have something to eat

Tengo algo que decir ... I have something to say

To make these phrases obligatory without doubt, we add "debo" just before the verb.

Answer 2

Good question. I think it is just a set phrase. There is also "quehaceres" for chores etc. So it makes sense that for I have something to do that it would be "que hacer".

Just like in English there are many expressions that just are as they are. They don't follow any set of rules. The biggest thing I think one needs to accept when learning Spanish is that you need to stop trying for literal translations and go for the escense of the meaning, when you see something like this just accept it and store it away for future usage.

Wait for a native for more.

Answer 3

I have something (that I must/need) to do.