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"Haber de" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to have to", and "haber que" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "to have to". Learn more about the difference between "haber de" and "haber que" below.
haber de(
ah
-
behr
deh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to have to
El tiempo apremia. Hemos de tomar una decisión lo antes posible.Time is pressing on. We have to make a decision as soon as possible.
b. to must
Has de enviar la solicitud hoy porque acaba el plazo.You must send your application today because it's the deadline.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El amor es algo que has de descubrir por ti misma.Love is something you should discover for yourself.
¿Por qué una simple disputa por unos terrenos baldíos habría de acabar en guerra?Why should a simple dispute for some wasteland end in war?
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Es muy tozudo, pero ha de haber una forma de convencerlo.He's very stubborn, but there has to be a way of persuading him.
Yo creo que ha de haber al menos 500 personas aquí dentro.I think there must be at least 500 people inside here.
3. (to exist)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En el mundo del cine hay de todo, desde verdaderos genios creativos hasta los más descarados arribistas.In the cinema industry there's everything, from true creative geniuses to the most brazen opportunists.
¿Hay alguna librería? - No, este es un pueblo muy pequeño y no hay de eso.Is there a bookshop? - No, this is a very small village and there's no such thing.
haber que(
ah
-
behr
keh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (general)
a. to have to
En aquella época había que lavar la ropa a mano porque las lavadoras no existían.Back then you had to wash your clothes by hand becase there were no washing machines.
La guerra arrasó el país y hubo que empezar desde cero.War devastated the country and they had to start from scratch.
b. to need to
Habrá que darse prisa; si no, no acabaremos el trabajo a tiempo.We need to hurry; otherwise, we won't finish the work on time.
No hay que rellenar todos los espacios, solo los que están marcados con un asterisco.You don't need to fill in all the spaces, only those marked with an asterisk.
c. must
En esas situaciones, hay que mantener la calma para evitar llegar a las manos.In those situations, you must keep calm to avoid coming to blows.
No hay que hacerlo así, sino de esta otra forma.You mustn't do it like that, but like this.
