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"Tuve que" is a phrase which is often translated as "I had to", and "tenía que" is a phrase which is also often translated as "I had to". Learn more about the difference between "tuve que" and "tenía que" below.
tenía que(
teh
-
nee
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ah
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I had to
Tenía que salirme temprano de la clase, y la maestra me puso una falta.I had to leave class early, and the teacher marked me absent.
a. he had to
No sé qué habrá pasado con Franco. Tenía que estar aquí a las 6, pero todavía no llegó.I wonder what may have happened with Franco. He had to be here at 6, but he hasn't arrived yet.
b. she had to
Alicia se fue temprano porque tenía que ir al médico.Alicia left early because she had to go to her doctor's.
c. it had to
El abogado dijo que el contrato tenía que estar firmado antes del viernes.The lawyer said that the contract had to be signed by Friday.
d. had to
Ayer, la maestra de Julio tenía que entrevistar a sus padres, pero no vinieron.Yesterday, Julio's teacher had to interview his parents, but they didn't turn up.
3. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. you had to
Usted tenía que comparecer hoy y no lo hizo. Se lo acusará de desacato.You had to appear in court today but failed to do so. You'l be charged with contempt of court.
