Spanish · B2 · Family moment
The Grown-Up Takes Care in Spanish
This guide focuses on articulating parental responsibilities using the 'tener que' construction. While the source mentioned 'haben plus zu' (a German structure), in Spanish at the B2 level, we focus on the active obligation 'tener que + infinitive' to express necessary actions the parent must take to ensure safety during daily routines.
What you'll learn
- Express active obligation using 'tener que + infinitive'.
- Describe safety procedures during feeding, bathing, and outings.
- Contrast personal responsibility with general rules or passive requirements.
Spanish phrases for the grown-up takes care
Tengo que comprobar el agua del baño antes de meterte, pequeño.
I have to check the bathwater before I put you in, little one.
'Tengo que' expresses the personal obligation. 'Meterte' combines the verb 'meter' with the pronoun 'te'.
Tengo que abrocharte el arnés del cochecito antes de que salgamos.
I have to fasten your stroller harness before we set off.
'Abrocharte' uses the indirect object 'te' to indicate the action is for the child.
Tengo que poner el freno del cochecito antes de sacarte.
I have to put the stroller brake on before I lift you out.
'Poner el freno' is the standard way to say 'set the brake'.
Tengo que comprobar a qué temperatura está tu comida antes de darte una cucharada.
I have to check how warm your food is before I offer you a spoonful.
'Darte' (dar + te) is a smooth way to express 'give you'.
Tengo que lavarme las manos después de cambiarte el pañal.
I have to wash my hands after changing your nappy.
'Lavarme' is reflexive, indicating the parent is washing their own hands.
Tengo que quedarme a tu lado durante todo el baño.
I have to stay beside you throughout your bath.
'Quedarme' implies remaining in a specific place/state.
Tengo que seguir las instrucciones cuando preparo tu leche de fórmula.
I have to follow the instructions when I prepare your formula.
'Seguir' is used here for following rules or steps.
Tengo que mantener las cosas del cambio a mi alcance, no al tuyo.
I have to keep the changing things within my reach, not yours.
'A mi alcance' is a useful idiomatic expression for 'within my reach'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Cochecito
Stroller / Buggy
Commonly used in Spain; 'carriola' is more common in parts of Latin America.
Arnés
Harness
Refers to the safety straps in a stroller or car seat.
Comprobar
To check / To verify
More formal and precise than 'mirar' when checking for safety.
Leche de fórmula
Baby formula
Often shortened to just 'fórmula' in casual conversation.
Active Obligation: Tener que + Infinitive
To express that someone has a specific duty or needs to perform an action, Spanish uses 'tener que'. Unlike passive constructions, this identifies the 'doer' clearly.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First Person (I) | Tengo que + [verb] | Tengo que vigilarte. |
| Third Person (Rules) | Tiene que + [verb] | El adulto tiene que estar presente. |
More examples
Como soy el adulto, tengo que asegurar que todo esté bien.
Since I am the adult, I have to ensure everything is okay.
Uses 'tengo que' to reinforce the parent's role.
Tengo que cerrar bien la puerta.
I have to close the door properly.
A simple example of daily safety obligation.