Expressing obligation
There are various ways to tell someone what they have to do or express an obligation.
1) When addressing a specific person:
- Dovere (have to, must) dovere, presente + the infinitive:
Devi telefonare al ristorante entro le 19.
You must phone the restaurant before 7pm.
- Bisogna che/occorre che (it's necessary that, it's essential that) + subjunctive:
Bisogna che / Occorre che tu ti riposi stasera.
It is essential that you rest this evening.
- È necessario che (it's necessary that) + subjunctive:
È necessario che voi parliate con Luisa.
You need to speak with Luisa (literally “It's necessary that you speak with Luisa”).
2) To express a general obligation or necessity, in other words, something that applies to everyone:
- Bisogna/occorre (it's necessary, it's essential) + infinitive:
Quando il semaforo è rosso, occorre fermarsi.
When the traffic light is red, it is necessary to stop.
- È necessario (it's necessary) + infinitive:
È necessario mangiare frutta e verdura ogni giorno.
It's necessary to eat fruit and vegetables every day.
3) To explain rules or standards of behavior, for example on information signs:
- È obbligatorio (it's obligatory) + infinitive:
È obbligatorio fare la doccia prima di entrare in piscina.
It's obligatory to have a shower before entering the pool.
- Essere essere, presente tenuti a (to be obliged, to be required) + infinitive (essere is conjugated to match the subject):
Gli ospiti sono tenuti a rispettare le regole.
Guests are required to respect the rules.
Still facing difficulties with 'Expressing obligation'? Enhance your grammar and learn Italian through our online Italian lessons.
Start with a free test and improve today!
What our users say:
Improve your Italian further and test Saga Baldoria, online Italian course.
