Spanish Phrase
¿Qué necesitas que haga?
Meaning
The sentence asks the listener what they need the speaker to do. It is a polite, indirect way of offering help or asking for clarification about a task.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone offers you assistance, or when you want to confirm exactly what is expected of you. It works in both formal and informal contexts, but the subjunctive gives it a slightly more courteous tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quénecesitasquehaga
Interrogative ¿Qué?
‘Qué’ introduces a question and means ‘what’. It is placed at the beginning of the clause.
Necesitas (present indicative)
‘Necesitas’ is the second‑person singular present of ‘necesitar’, meaning ‘you need’.
Que + Subjunctive
When ‘necesitar’ is followed by another action, it triggers the subjunctive mood: ‘que haga’.
Haga (present subjunctive)
‘Haga’ is the first‑person singular present subjunctive of ‘hacer’, used here to express a requested action.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué necesitas que haga?
What do you need me to do?
Necesito que revises el informe antes de enviarlo.
I need you to review the report before sending it.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Qué necesitas que haces?
After ‘necesitas’, the verb must be in the subjunctive, not the indicative.
¿Qué necesito que haga?
The subject of ‘necesitar’ must match the person you’re speaking to; using ‘necesito’ changes the meaning to ‘I need…’.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué quieres que haga?
What do you want me to do?
¿Qué debo hacer?
What should I do?
¿En qué puedo ayudarte?
How can I help you?
Cultural Tip
In Spanish‑speaking cultures, using ‘que + subjunctive’ after verbs like ‘necesitar’, ‘querer’, or ‘preferir’ signals a request that respects the other person’s authority or wishes. In Latin America the subjunctive is used just as often as in Spain, but you’ll hear a softer ‘necesitas’‑‘hagas’ in some regions, especially in casual conversation.