A small, empty blue watering can sits on dry, cracked earth. Above it, a large, friendly gray rain cloud is beginning to pour a single stream of water toward the can's spout, illustrating a requirement.

necesitar

neh-seh-see-TAHR

verbA1regular ar

to need?require something or someone

Also:to require?formal or technical requirement,to be in want of?lack of something

Quick Reference

infinitivenecesitar

gerundnecesitando

past Participlenecesitado

📝 In Action

Necesito un café antes de empezar a trabajar.

I need a coffee before starting work.

¿Tú necesitas ayuda con ese problema de matemáticas?

Do you need help with that math problem?

El coche necesita mucha gasolina para este viaje.

The car requires a lot of gasoline for this trip.

Necesitamos que firmes estos documentos hoy mismo.

We need you to sign these documents today.

Word Connections

Synonyms

requerir (to require)
hacer falta (to be necessary (impersonal))

Antonyms

sobrar (to be left over/not be needed)
prescindir (to do without)

Common Collocations

Necesitar ayuda – To need help
Necesitar dormir – To need to sleep
Lo que necesito – What I need

💡 Grammar Points

Needing an Action (Same Subject)

If you need yourself to do something, use 'necesitar' followed directly by the base form of the second verb (the infinitive): 'Necesito estudiar' (I need to study).

Needing Someone Else to Act (Different Subject)

When you need another person to take action, you must use 'que' followed by the special verb form (the subjunctive). The second verb changes form: 'Necesito que estudies' (I need you to study).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Tener' for Requirement

Mistake: "Tengo dinero (I have money)."

Correction: Necesito dinero (I need money). 'Tener' means 'to possess,' not 'to require.' Only use 'necesitar' when you feel a requirement or lack something.

Incorrect Verb Form After 'Que'

Mistake: "Necesito que tú estudias."

Correction: Necesito que tú *estudies*. If the subject changes after 'que,' the verb must change to the subjunctive (the special 'e' ending for -ar verbs).

⭐ Usage Tips

Quick Needs

For immediate needs like 'I need water' or 'I need help,' simply say 'Necesito agua' or 'Necesito ayuda.' This is one of the first and most useful phrases to learn.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustednecesita

yonecesito

túnecesitas

ellos/ellas/ustedesnecesitan

nosotrosnecesitamos

vosotrosnecesitáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustednecesitaba

yonecesitaba

túnecesitabas

ellos/ellas/ustedesnecesitaban

nosotrosnecesitábamos

vosotrosnecesitabais

preterite

él/ella/ustednecesitó

yonecesité

túnecesitaste

ellos/ellas/ustedesnecesitaron

nosotrosnecesitamos

vosotrosnecesitasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustednecesite

yonecesite

túnecesites

ellos/ellas/ustedesnecesiten

nosotrosnecesitemos

vosotrosnecesitéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustednecesitara

yonecesitara

túnecesitaras

ellos/ellas/ustedesnecesitaran

nosotrosnecesitáramos

vosotrosnecesitarais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: necesitar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly expresses that *I* need *my friend* to call me?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

necesidad(necessity / need) - noun

necesario(necessary) - adjective

innecesario(unnecessary) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'necesitar' the same as 'tener que'?

No, they are slightly different! 'Necesitar' expresses a personal requirement or lack (I need water). 'Tener que' means 'to have to' and expresses an obligation or strong duty (I have to work today).

Can I use 'necesitar' to talk about emotional needs?

Absolutely! You can use it for both physical needs (Necesito agua) and emotional needs (Necesito verte, I need to see you) or abstract concepts (Necesitas más fe, You need more faith).