Necesario describes something needed for a purpose or required in a situation.

The idea

It agrees with a noun: necesario, necesaria, necesarios, necesarias; es necesario plus an infinitive describes an action.

Examples

  • Un documento es necesario para la solicitud.A document is necessary for the application.
  • La reserva es necesaria para entrar.A reservation is necessary to enter.
  • Estos materiales son necesarios para el curso.These materials are necessary for the course.
  • ¿Son necesarias las dos copias?Are both copies necessary?
  • Es necesario descansar después del viaje.It is necessary to rest after the journey.
  • Solo llevamos lo necesario para una noche.We take only what is necessary for one night.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Necesario means needed, while opcional means one can choose whether to include it.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the form agreeing with reserva: La reserva es ___ para entrar. (necesaria / necesario)

    Show answer or example answer

    necesaria

    Necesaria agrees with the feminine singular noun reserva.

  2. Choose the form agreeing with materiales: Los materiales son ___ para el curso. (necesarios / necesarias)

    Show answer or example answer

    necesarios

    Necesarios agrees with the masculine plural noun materiales.

  3. Choose the adjective that fits the description: Sin este documento no se puede presentar la solicitud: es ___. (necesario / opcional)

    Show answer or example answer

    necesario

    Necesario fits a document that cannot be omitted; opcional means optional.

Use it today

Say what is necessary for a course and name an action necessary after a journey.