Inklingo

How to Say "required" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “required” is “necesario” — use 'necesario' for a general sense of necessity or requirement, often implying something is needed to achieve a goal.

necesario🔊A1

Use 'necesario' for a general sense of necessity or requirement, often implying something is needed to achieve a goal.

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obligatorio🔊A2

Use 'obligatorio' when something is mandatory by rule, law, or strong social expectation, leaving no room for choice.

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requerido🔊A2

Use 'requerido' for things that are officially or formally required, often in contexts like applications, travel, or official documents.

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obligado🔊A2

Use 'obligado' to describe a situation where someone is compelled or forced to do something, often due to external pressure or circumstances.

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preciso🔊B2

Use 'preciso' to emphasize the exactness or critical nature of a requirement, often suggesting immediate action is needed.

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obligóA2

Use the verb 'obligó' (preterite of obligar) when describing a past action where someone or something forced or compelled another to do something.

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English → Spanish

necesario

ne-se-SA-ryoneseˈsaɾjo

adjectiveA1formal
Use 'necesario' for a general sense of necessity or requirement, often implying something is needed to achieve a goal.
A wilting green plant in dry soil receiving a large, essential drop of water.

Examples

Es necesario estudiar para el examen.

It's necessary to study for the exam.

El agua es necesaria para la vida.

Water is necessary for life.

No es necesario que vengas si no quieres.

It's not necessary for you to come if you don't want to.

Matching the Noun

Like most Spanish adjectives, necesario changes to match the thing it describes. Use necesario for masculine things (un libro necesario) and necesaria for feminine things (una respuesta necesaria).

Always Use 'Ser'

To say something is necessary, you'll almost always use the verb ser (Es necesario...). It's a description of a permanent state or a general truth.

Two Ways to Say What's Necessary

You can say what needs to be done in two common ways. 1) Es necesario + action: Es necesario comer. 2) Es necesario que + person + special verb form: Es necesario que comas (It's necessary that you eat).

Forgetting the Feminine Form

Mistake: “La información es necesario.”

Correction: La información es necesaria. Remember that 'información' is a feminine word, so the adjective needs to match!

Using 'por' Instead of 'para'

Mistake: “Es necesario por el trabajo.”

Correction: Es necesario para el trabajo. When you say something is necessary 'for' a purpose or a goal, you always use 'para'.

obligatorio

oh-blee-gah-toh-ryohoβliɣaˈtoɾjo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'obligatorio' when something is mandatory by rule, law, or strong social expectation, leaving no room for choice.
A child wearing a bright orange life jacket while sitting in a small boat.

Examples

El uso del casco es obligatorio para montar en bicicleta.

The use of a helmet is mandatory for riding a bicycle.

Matemáticas es una asignatura obligatoria este año.

Math is a required subject this year.

No es una sugerencia, es un paso obligatorio del proceso.

It's not a suggestion; it's a mandatory step in the process.

Matching the Ending

Since this is a describing word (adjective), the ending changes to 'obligatoria' if you are describing a feminine word like 'la tarea' (the homework).

Word Order

In Spanish, you usually place this word after the thing you are describing, such as 'un curso obligatorio' (a mandatory course).

Using 'obligado' instead

Mistake: “Es obligado llevar casco.”

Correction: Es obligatorio llevar casco.

requerido

reh-keh-REE-dohrekeˈɾiðo

adjectiveA2formal
Use 'requerido' for things that are officially or formally required, often in contexts like applications, travel, or official documents.
A hard hat and safety goggles placed on a wooden surface, representing mandatory safety equipment.

Examples

El pasaporte es un documento requerido para viajar al extranjero.

A passport is a required document for traveling abroad.

Complete todos los campos requeridos en el formulario.

Complete all the required fields in the form.

No cuentas con la experiencia requerida para este puesto de trabajo.

You don't have the required experience for this job position.

Match your endings

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match what you are talking about: 'requerido' (male), 'requerida' (female), 'requeridos' (male plural), or 'requeridas' (female plural).

Word placement

In Spanish, this word usually comes after the person or thing it describes. For example, 'documento requerido' rather than 'requerido documento'.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “La firma requerido.”

Correction: La firma requerida. (Because 'firma' is a feminine word, 'requerido' must also become feminine).

obligado

oh-blee-GAH-dohoβliˈɣaðo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'obligado' to describe a situation where someone is compelled or forced to do something, often due to external pressure or circumstances.
A small person reluctantly putting a bright red square block into the only matching square hole on a wooden puzzle board, illustrating a mandatory action.

Examples

El uso del casco es obligatorio para los ciclistas.

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for cyclists.

Una visita al museo del Prado es una parada obligada en Madrid.

A visit to the Prado museum is a required/must-do stop in Madrid.

Si llueve, el plan B es obligado.

If it rains, Plan B is necessary.

Agreement is Key

Since 'obligado' is an adjective, make sure its ending matches the thing it describes: 'la tarea obligada' (the required task, feminine) or 'los documentos obligados' (the required documents, plural).

preciso

preh-SEE-sohpɾeˈθiso

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'preciso' to emphasize the exactness or critical nature of a requirement, often suggesting immediate action is needed.
A single, essential, brightly colored red umbrella standing upright in the rain, symbolizing a necessary item for the weather.

Examples

Es preciso actuar con rapidez para evitar el problema.

It is necessary to act quickly to avoid the problem.

Si precisa más información, llámeme.

If you require more information, call me. (Formal use, derived from the verb 'precisar' but functioning as a formal adjective/expression)

Triggering the Special Verb Form

When used impersonally ('Es preciso que...'), the verb that follows must use the special subjunctive form, meaning the verb changes its ending to express necessity or desire: 'Es preciso que vengas' (It is necessary that you come).

obligó

verbA2general
Use the verb 'obligó' (preterite of obligar) when describing a past action where someone or something forced or compelled another to do something.

Examples

La ley lo obligó a pagar la multa inmediatamente.

The law forced him to pay the fine immediately.

Obligatorio vs. Necesario

Learners often confuse 'obligatorio' and 'necesario'. Remember, 'obligatorio' implies a strict rule or mandate, while 'necesario' suggests something is needed or beneficial but not necessarily compulsory.

Related Translations

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