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necesitar means to need — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 4, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

necesitar

verb • /[neh-seh-see-TAR]/

to need

Example:

Necesito más tiempo para terminar esto.

I need more time to finish this.

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🧠 What does necesitar mean?

Necesitar is a very common Spanish verb meaning "to need". It expresses the requirement or necessity of something. It can refer to physical needs like food or water, or more abstract needs like love or support. It's a crucial verb for everyday communication in Spanish.

📚 Extra examples

  • Necesito un café.
    I need a coffee.
  • Necesitamos más tiempo.
    We need more time.
  • Ella necesita dormir.
    She needs to sleep.
  • Ellos necesitan ayuda.
    They need help.
  • No necesito nada.
    I don't need anything.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to need' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to need' is 'necesitar'.
How do you pronounce 'necesitar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced neh-seh-see-TAHR. The stress is on the last syllable.
How do you use 'necesitar' in a sentence?
You can use it like this: 'Necesito un libro' (I need a book) or 'Necesitamos hablar' (We need to talk).
What is the English translation of 'necesitar'?
The English translation of 'necesitar' is 'to need'.
Does 'necesitar' change for gender or number?
No, 'necesitar' conjugates according to the subject pronoun, but not for gender or number of the object needed.
Is 'necesitar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'necesitar' is a very common verb used in everyday Spanish conversations.
Does 'necesitar' have slang or double meanings?
While 'necesitar' itself doesn't have slang or double meanings, the thing needed could have slang meanings depending on the context.
Is 'necesitar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the usage of 'necesitar' is generally the same across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'necesitar' in Spanish?
Here's the present tense conjugation: Yo necesito Tú necesitas Él/Ella/Usted necesita Nosotros/Nosotras necesitamos Vosotros/Vosotras necesitáis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes necesitan

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "necesitar"

Synonyms: requerir, precisar
Opposites: tener suficiente (to have enough)

💡 Did You Know?

While both 'necesitar' and 'requerir' mean 'to need', 'requerir' is generally more formal.

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