Spanish Phrase
Tengo que lavar la ropa hoy.
Meaning
I have to wash the clothes today. The sentence conveys a personal obligation that must be fulfilled within the current day.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to talk about a chore or duty you need to complete today, such as in a conversation about daily routines, weekend plans, or when someone asks what you’ll be doing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tengoquelavarlaropahoy
tener + que + infinitive
The construction 'tener que' + infinitive expresses obligation or necessity, similar to 'have to' in English.
que (conjunction)
Here 'que' links the verb 'tener' with the infinitive verb that follows; it is not a relative pronoun.
lavar (infinitive)
The base form of the verb meaning 'to wash'. In this structure it stays in the infinitive.
la ropa
A noun phrase meaning 'the clothes'. 'Ropa' is feminine, so it takes the article 'la'.
hoy (adverb of time)
Placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis, it means 'today'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué vas a hacer hoy?
What are you going to do today?
Tengo que lavar la ropa hoy.
I have to wash the clothes today.
✕Common Mistakes
Tengo que lavar el ropa hoy.
Ropa is a feminine noun; the correct article is 'la'.
Tengo que lavar ropa hoy.
While grammatically possible, omitting the article makes the sentence sound less specific. Use 'la ropa' when you refer to a particular batch of clothes.
Hoy tengo que lavar la ropa.
The word order is not wrong, but placing 'hoy' at the beginning shifts emphasis. For learners focusing on the standard pattern, keep 'hoy' at the end.
↔Alternatives
Debo lavar la ropa hoy.
I must wash the clothes today.
Me toca lavar la ropa hoy.
It's my turn to wash the clothes today.
Tengo que hacer la colada hoy.
I have to do the laundry today.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking households 'lavar la ropa' is the standard way to refer to doing laundry. In Spain you’ll also hear 'hacer la colada', while in many Latin American countries 'lavar la ropa' is more common. Using 'tener que' sounds neutral; 'debo' feels a bit more formal, and 'me toca' adds a casual, colloquial nuance, implying it’s your turn in a shared chore schedule.