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How to Say "required" in Spanish

English → Spanish

necesario

/ne-se-SA-ryo//neseˈsaɾjo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'necesario' when something is needed or essential, but not necessarily enforced by a rule or law.
A wilting green plant in dry soil receiving a large, essential drop of water.

Examples

Es necesario descansar después de un largo viaje.

It's necessary to rest after a long trip.

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

adjectiveA2general
Use 'obligatorio' when something is mandatory or compulsory due to a rule, law, or obligation.

Examples

El uso de cinturón de seguridad es obligatorio en todos los coches.

Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory in all cars.

obligó

verbA2general
Use the verb 'obligar' (in its conjugated form 'obligó' for third-person singular past) when someone or something compelled or forced another person to do something.

Examples

El profesor lo obligó a quedarse después de clase para terminar la tarea.

The teacher forced him to stay after class to finish the homework.

preciso

preh-SEE-soh/pɾeˈθiso/

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'preciso' to indicate that something is strictly necessary or imperative, often implying a sense of urgency or precision in action.
A single, essential, brightly colored red umbrella standing upright in the rain, symbolizing a necessary item for the weather.

Examples

Es preciso seguir las instrucciones al pie de la letra para obtener los mejores resultados.

It is imperative to follow the instructions to the letter to obtain the best results.

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).

Obligatorio vs. Necesario

The most common mistake is using 'necesario' when 'obligatorio' is needed. Remember, 'obligatorio' implies a rule or law making something compulsory, while 'necesario' simply means something is needed or essential.

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