Spanish Phrase
Los caseros tienen que arreglar los problemas graves.
Meaning
The sentence states that the landlords are obligated to fix serious problems in the property. It conveys a sense of responsibility and urgency, often used when tenants report major maintenance issues.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing maintenance duties, filing a complaint, or explaining why a repair is necessary. It works in both formal (e.g., a written letter) and informal (e.g., a conversation with a neighbor) contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Loscaserostienenquearreglarlosproblemasgraves
Artículo definido (Los)
Los is the masculine plural definite article, used here to refer to a specific group of landlords.
Sustantivo (caseros)
Casero can mean ‘landlord’ or ‘homeowner’; it agrees in gender and number with the article.
Perífrasis obligativa (tener que + infinitivo)
Tener que + infinitive expresses obligation (have to). The verb ‘tener’ is conjugated, while the infinitive stays unchanged.
Infinitivo (arreglar)
Arreglar means ‘to fix/repair’. After ‘tener que’, the infinitive never changes.
Adjetivo pospuesto (graves)
In Spanish, adjectives can appear after the noun; here ‘graves’ (serious) follows ‘problemas’ and agrees in gender and number.
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué el grifo sigue goteando?
Why is the faucet still dripping?
Los caseros tienen que arreglar los problemas graves.
The landlords have to fix the serious problems.
✕Common Mistakes
Los caseros tienen arregar los problemas graves.
The verb ‘tener’ must be followed by ‘que’ before an infinitive; omit ‘que’ and the sentence is ungrammatical.
Los caseros tienen que arreglar graves problemas.
Adjectives that describe seriousness usually follow the noun; placing ‘graves’ before ‘problemas’ sounds unnatural.
Los caseros tienen que arreglar los problemas graves.
In formal contexts, ‘propietario’ or ‘arrendador’ is preferred over the colloquial ‘casero’. Using the wrong register can sound too casual.
↔Alternatives
Los propietarios deben solucionar los problemas graves.
The property owners must solve the serious problems.
Los dueños tienen que reparar los problemas serios.
The owners have to repair the serious problems.
Los caseros deben arreglar los problemas importantes.
The landlords must fix the important problems.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, ‘casero’ is a colloquial term for landlord, while ‘propietario’ sounds more formal and is preferred in legal documents. The periphrastic construction ‘tener que + infinitivo’ is the most common way to express obligation in everyday speech; ‘deber + infinitivo’ sounds slightly more formal.