Spanish Phrase
Tenemos que hacer la compra.
Meaning
‘We have to do the shopping.’ The sentence conveys a sense of duty or necessity, usually referring to buying groceries for the household.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re talking about daily or weekly chores, planning a trip to the supermarket, or reminding someone that the grocery run is pending.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenemosquehacerlacompra.
tener (present 1st pl.)
‘Tenemos’ is the present‑tense form of ‘tener’ meaning ‘we have’; when followed by ‘que + infinitive’ it expresses obligation.
que + infinitive
The conjunction ‘que’ introduces an infinitive verb to indicate something that must be done.
hacer + noun
‘Hacer la compra’ is a set phrase meaning ‘to do the grocery shopping’; the noun ‘compra’ stays singular even though many items are bought.
🗨In Conversation
¿Has visto la nevera? Está casi vacía.
Have you seen the fridge? It's almost empty.
Sí, tenemos que hacer la compra hoy.
Yes, we have to do the shopping today.
✕Common Mistakes
Tenemos de hacer la compra.
‘Tenemos de’ is not used to express obligation; the correct construction is ‘tenemos que + infinitive’.
Tenemos que hacer compra.
The article ‘la’ is required; without it the phrase sounds unnatural.
↔Alternatives
Debemos ir de compras.
We should go shopping.
Tenemos que comprar alimentos.
We have to buy food.
Hay que hacer la compra.
One must do the shopping.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries ‘hacer la compra’ specifically means buying groceries, often at a local market or supermarket. If you’re referring to shopping for clothes, electronics, etc., you’d say ‘ir de compras’ instead. Weekly grocery trips are a common family routine, especially in Spain and many Latin American households.