usage.obligation-hay-que
Hay que: impersonal obligation
Hay que + infinitive states what must be done in general, no subject: hay que llevar pasaporte. Softer than telling someone tenés que.
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Explanation
Hay que sets rules and shared necessities: hay que pagar antes del diez, hay que tener paciencia con los trámites. Tenses: había que, habrá que, hubo que.
It doubles as indirect suggestion — hay que ir pensando en eso hints without commanding. Direct equivalent when a person is meant: vas a tener que...
Hay que + infinitive states general, subjectless necessity (hay que llevar pasaporte) and conjugates impersonally across tenses: había que, habrá que, hubo que. It also softens an order into shared advice — hay que ir pensando en eso hints rather than commands; switch to vas a tener que… when you mean a specific person.
Examples
For that procedure you have to get a queue ticket first.
Region: global
We'll just have to wait until Monday.
Region: global
You have to pay before the tenth; otherwise they charge a fine.
Region: global