Spanish Phrase
Tenemos que terminarlo.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We have to finish it.’ It conveys a sense of duty or necessity that applies to the whole group speaking. The pronoun *lo* refers to something masculine or neuter that has already been mentioned, such as *el trabajo* or *el informe*.
When to use
Use this phrase when a group (you and at least one other person) needs to complete a task that is already known to the listeners. It works in both formal and informal settings, from the classroom to the workplace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenemosqueterminarlo
Tenemos
First‑person plural present of the verb *tener* (to have). Here it expresses obligation.
que
A preposition that introduces an infinitive, equivalent to English ‘to’ in ‘have to’. It never changes form.
terminar
Infinitive of the verb *terminar* (to finish, to complete).
lo
Direct‑object pronoun that replaces a masculine singular noun (e.g., *el proyecto*). It is attached to the infinitive.
🗨In Conversation
Tenemos que terminarlo.
We have to finish it.
Sí, vamos a hacerlo ahora.
Yes, let's do it now.
✕Common Mistakes
Tenemos de terminarlo.
Mixing *tener* with *de* is non‑standard; the correct form is *tener que*.
Tenemos que terminar.
Leaving out the pronoun loses the reference to the object.
Tenemos que terminarla.
Use *la* only if the object is feminine; otherwise it creates a gender mismatch.
↔Alternatives
Debemos terminarlo.
We must finish it.
Hay que terminarlo.
It must be finished.
Necesitamos terminarlo.
We need to finish it.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries *tener que* is the go‑to construction for obligation. *Haber de* is also correct but sounds more formal or literary. Avoid mixing the two (*tenemos de*), which is considered a regionalism in some parts of Spain and can sound odd to native ears. The pronoun *lo* must match the gender of the noun it replaces; if you’re talking about a feminine object, use *la* (e.g., *Tenemos que terminarla*).