Spanish Phrase
Tenemos que cerrar el menú.
Meaning
This sentence states that the speakers are obliged to close the menu. It can refer to a physical restaurant menu, a digital interface, or any list that needs to be shut.
When to use
Use it when you need to tell someone (or a group) that the menu must be closed—whether you’re a waiter finishing service, a developer finishing a UI task, or simply ending a discussion about options.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenemosquecerrarelmenú
tener que + infinitivo
The construction 'tener que' + infinitive expresses obligation, similar to 'have to' in English.
Regular -ar verb
'cerrar' follows the regular -ar verb conjugation pattern; its infinitive form is used after 'tener que'.
el menú (accent)
The noun 'menú' is masculine and carries an acute accent on the final 'u' to indicate stress.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya terminaste de elegir los platos?
Did you finish choosing the dishes?
Sí, tenemos que cerrar el menú.
Yes, we have to close the menu.
✕Common Mistakes
Tenemos cerrar el menú.
The conjunction 'que' is required after 'tener' to form the obligation structure.
Tenemos que cerrar el menu.
The word 'menú' must carry an accent on the final 'u' to be correct.
Cerramos el menú.
This changes the meaning to a simple present statement ('We close the menu') rather than expressing obligation.
↔Alternatives
Debemos cerrar el menú.
We must close the menu.
Hay que cerrar el menú.
One has to close the menu.
Necesitamos cerrar el menú.
We need to close the menu.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking restaurants, the printed 'menú' is handed out at the start of the meal and collected at the end. In tech contexts, 'menú' also refers to dropdown or navigation menus on websites and apps. The level of formality stays neutral; you can use it with colleagues, friends, or customers.