Inklingo

How to Say "needs" in Spanish

English → Spanish

necesidades

neh-seh-see-DAH-dehs/nesesiˈðaðes/

nounA1general
Use 'necesidades' when referring to essential requirements or things that are necessary for survival or well-being, often in a general or plural sense.
A simple illustration showing essential requirements for life: a glass of clean water, a slice of bread, and a small, cozy house.

Examples

Todos tenemos necesidades básicas como comida y vivienda.

We all have basic needs like food and housing.

Antes de empezar, tenemos que evaluar las necesidades del proyecto.

Before starting, we have to evaluate the project's requirements.

Sus necesidades médicas son complejas y requieren atención constante.

His medical needs are complex and require constant attention.

Plural Form

This word is the plural of 'necesidad.' Since the singular ends in a consonant ('-d'), the plural is formed by adding '-es' (necesidades).

Feminine Gender

Remember to use the feminine articles and adjectives with this word: 'las necesidades básicas' (the basic needs).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'necesitar' (the verb 'to need') when you should use the noun 'necesidades.'”

Correction: Say 'Tenemos muchas necesidades' (We have many needs), not 'Nosotros necesitamos muchas.' The noun is more formal for stating requirements.

requiere

reh-kyeh-reh/reˈkje.ɾe/

verbB1general
Use 'requiere' (from requerir) when talking about something that demands or calls for a specific resource, action, or quality, often for projects or tasks.
A determined cartoon character pushing a massive, heavy boulder up a steep, grassy hill, demonstrating the concept of required effort.

Examples

Este proyecto requiere mucha paciencia.

This project requires a lot of patience.

El cliente requiere una respuesta inmediata.

The client requires an immediate answer.

Para entrar, la ley requiere identificación oficial.

To enter, the law requires official identification.

Stem Change (E > IE)

In the present tense, the 'e' in the stem of 'requerir' changes to 'ie' (requerir -> riequiere) for all forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.

Impersonal Use

'Requiere' is often used with impersonal subjects like 'el trabajo' (the job) or 'la situación' (the situation), similar to 'it requires' in English.

precisa

/pre-SEE-sah//pɾeˈsisa/

verbB1formal/medical
Use 'precisa' (from precisar) when a person or entity specifically requires something, often implying an immediate or critical need.
A small plant in a pot with a watering can pouring a single drop of water onto it.

Examples

El paciente precisa atención inmediata.

The patient needs immediate attention.

Ella precisa los detalles del contrato.

She specifies the details of the contract.

The 'He/She' Form

'Precisa' is the form used for 'he', 'she', 'it', or 'you (formal)' in the present tense.

Precisa vs. Necesita

Mistake: “Using 'precisa' only for 'exactness'.”

Correction: Remember that 'precisa' can also mean 'he/she needs', especially in formal contexts like medical or legal settings.

Noun vs. Verb for 'Needs'

The most common mistake is using the noun 'necesidades' when the English sentence uses 'needs' as a verb. Remember, 'necesidades' refers to the things themselves that are needed, while 'requiere' and 'precisa' are verbs indicating the act of needing.

Related Translations

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