Spanish Phrase
Tenemos que decidir ya.
Meaning
‘We have to decide now.’ The sentence conveys a sense of immediacy and collective responsibility. It is often used when a deadline is close or when a group needs to reach a consensus quickly.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal settings when a team, family, or group must reach a decision without delay—e.g., before a meeting starts, when a reservation is about to expire, or when a problem needs an instant solution.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenemosquedecidirya
Tenemos
First‑person plural present of the verb *tener* (to have). Here it forms the periphrastic construction ‘tener que + infinitive’ to express obligation.
que
A conjunction that links *tener* with an infinitive, meaning ‘to have to / must’. It is not the relative pronoun *que* in this context.
decidir
Infinitive of the verb *decidir* (to decide). The infinitive follows *tener que* without any personal ending.
ya
Adverb of time meaning ‘already, now, right away’. Placed at the end of the clause to stress urgency.
🗨In Conversation
Tenemos que decidir ya.
We have to decide now.
Sí, el plazo se acaba en diez minutos.
Yes, the deadline ends in ten minutes.
✕Common Mistakes
Tenemos que decidirse ya.
The reflexive *decidirse* means ‘to decide for oneself’, not the collective obligation expressed by *tener que decidir*.
Tenemos que decidir ya que.
*Ya que* means ‘since/because’, which changes the meaning entirely.
Tenemos que decidir ahóra.
While *ahora* is correct, learners sometimes forget the accent on *ahóra* (which is actually incorrect). Use *ahora* without an accent.
↔Alternatives
Debemos decidir ahora.
We must decide now.
Hay que decidir ya.
We need to decide right away.
Tenemos que tomar una decisión ahora.
We have to make a decision now.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking cultures decisions are often made collectively, especially in families or work teams. Adding *ya* signals that the matter is urgent, so be prepared for a quick, sometimes heated, discussion. In formal business contexts you might replace *ya* with *inmediatamente* for a more polished tone.