que

Question

I am having trouble with the word que. I know it can mean that or than. I ran across these sentences in my textbook with the word que that is giving me trouble.
1.Pero, ¿no tienes que estudiar para el examen de matemáticas?
2.¡Claro que tengo que estudiar! Pero ma'ana mis padres regresan de sus vacaciones y tengo que tener la casa limpia y ordenada.
3.Sí, pero todavía tengo que ordenar la cocina.

Answer 1

Samdie, I couldn't agree more. When I can get the "alternate" keyboard I will. I can't wait.
Lazarus posted an explanation of how to install/activate an alternate keyboard last year. There used to be a link in the FAQ but the link seems to have disappeared. The original post is almost certainly still in the database but I don't know where.

Here's a page that discusses the process:For Windows, see the website 'Keyboard Help: Typing International Accent Marks and Diacritics? (http://www.starr.net/is/type/kbh.html)
And: More information here: http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm
For a different approach, this from Vikingo: I made this little program a few days ago http://www.leithe.no/spanish.exe

Answer 2

Thanks Jason for the reply, if you are running windows go to start menu/ programs/ accessories/system tools and click on character map. It allows you to copy and paste accents.

If you expect to need accents only occasionally, this may well be the best solution. If, on the other hand, you expect to be doing much typing of Spanish, an alternate keyboard is (in my opinion) more convenient).

Note: when I speak of an "alternate keyboard", I am referring to (free) software that you can easily install (that reinterprets your keystrokes).

Samdie, I couldn't agree more. When I can get the "alternate" keyboard I will. I can't wait.

Answer 3

Thanks Jason for the reply, if you are running windows go to start menu/ programs/ accessories/system tools and click on character map. It allows you to copy and paste accents.
If you expect to need accents only occasionally, this may well be the best solution. If, on the other hand, you expect to be doing much typing of Spanish, an alternate keyboard is (in my opinion) more convenient).

Note: when I speak of an "alternate keyboard", I am referring to (free) software that you can easily install (that reinterprets your keystrokes).

Answer 4

Thanks Jason for the reply, if you are running windows go to start menu/ programs/ accessories/system tools and click on character map. It allows you to copy and paste accents.

Answer 5

I have heard of these suggestions before and I am looking at the most economical choice. Thanks for the heads-up though!!

Answer 6

MAN I NEED TO GET A PROGRAM INSTALLED INTO MY COMPUTER SO I CAN USE THE CORRECT SPELLING WITH ACCENTS!!
The easiest alternative, for users of Windows, is to install an "alternate keyboard" (certainly easier than writing in Word and then cutting-and-pasting). there used to be an entry within the FAQ (a link to previous suggestions) but it seems to have disappeared. A general search (e.g. Google) for "Spanish keyboard windows" should take you to instructions about how to install/use an "alternate keyboard".

Answer 7

This question intrigued me, thanks for asking it!! I looked up some of my references and saw that it can also mean the following: who, that, whom, or which (as a relative pronoun). I know the sentences have it being used as "to" but I just wanted to weigh in on this as well. Some examples I found are:

La muchacha que habla con Juan es mi hermana./ The girl who is talking with John is my sister.

El libro que esta(with an accent over the "a") en la mesa es mio (accent over the "i")/ The book which (that) is on the table is mine.

MAN I NEED TO GET A PROGRAM INSTALLED INTO MY COMPUTER SO I CAN USE THE CORRECT SPELLING WITH ACCENTS!!

Answer 8

additional information on tener que + infinitive

Answer 9

Hi Flod, welcome to the forum

Have a look at our reference section, it will help you .

reference

Answer 10

1.Pero, ¿no tienes que estudiar para el examen de matemáticas?
2.¡Claro que tengo que estudiar! Pero ma'ana mis padres regresan de sus vacaciones y tengo que tener la casa limpia y ordenada.
3.Sí, pero todavía tengo que ordenar la cocina.

Here are translations:

1. But, don't you have to study for the math exam?
2. Of course I have to study! But tomorrow my parents will return from their vacation and I have to keep the house clean and organized.
3. Yes, but** I still have to** organize the kitchen.

In these sentences, "que" translates into the word "to" as in having to do something.