Necesitar: to need
Pronunciation: neh-seh-see-TAHR (stress the capital letters)
Necesitar means “to need” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to need
- How to say it: neh-seh-see-TAHR
- Present: yo necesito, tú necesitas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “necesitar” means and how to use it
Necesitar means “to need.” It can be followed directly by a noun or by an infinitive.
How to conjugate “necesitar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | necesito | I |
| tú | necesitas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | necesita | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | necesitamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | necesitan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo necesité, él necesitó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | necesitado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Necesito ayuda.I need help.
- Necesitamos comprar leche.We need to buy milk.
- ¿Necesitas algo más?Do you need anything else?
Usage tip
Do not put “de” or “que” after necesitar: “necesito comer,” not “necesito que comer.” The form “necesito que” is only used before a new subject (necesito que vengas).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to need” in Spanish?
“to need” in Spanish is “necesitar.” It is pronounced neh-seh-see-TAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “necesitar”?
Say neh-seh-see-TAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “necesitar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “necesité” and “él” is “necesitó.” The past participle is “necesitado.”
Practice “necesitar” for free
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