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Video lesson

Hay que, se puede y no se puede

Duration: 4:53 Published: 25 Aug 2017

Three impersonal structures that appear again and again in everyday life and in the DELE B1 exam: hay que for obligation, se puede for permission and no se puede for prohibition.

Learn how to express obligation and prohibition in Spanish with this free Spanish lesson brought to you by Tilde Madrid Spanish school in Madrid

Key points

  • Hay que + infinitive expresses a general obligation, for everyone: Hay que sacar la entrada antes.
  • Se puede + infinitive says that something is allowed: Aquí se puede aparcar.
  • No se puede + infinitive expresses prohibition: No se puede fumar.
  • These structures are impersonal: they do not refer to a specific person.

Frequent doubts

What is the difference between hay que and tener que?

Tener que has a subject (Tengo que estudiar: I have to study); hay que is impersonal, a general obligation (Hay que estudiar: one has to study).

Se puede or se pueden?

Se puede + infinitive is the usual form: Se puede aparcar aquí. With a plural noun after the infinitive you will often hear the plural: Se pueden hacer fotos.

Why are these structures useful for the DELE B1?

Because the exam often includes notices, rules and instructions, both in the reading tasks and when you have to explain rules or give advice.

Part of Spanish Sessions, the YouTube channel of the teachers at Tilde Madrid — more than 3 million views.

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