have to vs need to

[majlo]

Hello,
Do you see any semantical or other difference between "have to" and "need to"? As an example I'll provide such context: "I've made a few mistakes in my life. I need to/have to learn by them."
Can any possible differences result from different contexts?

 

[la reine victoria]

Hello,
Do you see any semantical or other difference between "have to" and "need to"? As an example I'll provide such context: "I've made a few mistakes in my life. I need to/have to learn by them."
Can any possible differences result from different contexts?

Hello Majlo,

Generally speaking, "have to" implies an obligation.

"Need to" implies a want or desire.

In your context, both meanings apply.

LRV

 

[Gioacchino]

Please consider the following dialog:

Child: Dad, can we play with me?
Father: I will play with you later, now I <have | need> to cook our lunch, it's almost lunch time and I haven't started yet!

Which modal of necessity would you use? Have to or need to? Thank you

 

[Cenzontle]

My fuzzy intuition is that "I need to" means something for my benefit,
while "I have to" is for someone else's benefit.
By "fuzzy" I mean that these are not strict categories, only tendencies.