A common question among French learners is “What is the difference between il faut (it is necessary) and devoir (to have to, must)?”

The short answer is that il faut expresses an impersonal, general, or external necessity, while devoir expresses a personal, specific, or internal obligation. They are not simply interchangeable.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the differences:

1. The Nature of the Obligation

• Il faut que je fasse (It is necessary that I do):
  • Impersonal & General: The obligation comes from outside yourself. It’s a rule, a law, a requirement, a logical necessity, or a circumstance.
  • Examples:
    • Il faut que j’aille chez le médecin. (The state of my health makes it necessary.)
    • Il faut que je paye mes impôts. (The law requires it.)
    • Pour avoir de bonnes notes, il faut que j’étudie. (It’s a general rule for success.)
    • Il faut que tu tournes à gauche ici. (The directions/logic of the route demand it.)
• Je dois faire (I must do / I have to do):
  • Personal & Specific: The obligation is felt by you personally. It often implies a sense of duty, moral responsibility, or a commitment you’ve made.
  • Examples:
    • Je dois aider mon ami. (I feel a personal duty to help my friend.)
    • Je dois terminer ce projet aujourd’hui. (I made a promise to myself or my boss.)
    • Je dois lui dire la vérité. (My conscience compels me.)

2. Grammatical Structure

• Il faut: Requires the subjunctive mood (que je fasse, que tu ailles, qu’il finisse). This grammatical mood is used for uncertainty, wish, or… necessity, which aligns perfectly with its meaning.
• Devoir: Is a modal verb followed by an infinitive (je dois faire, tu dois aller, il doit finir). It’s much more straightforward, just like “must” or “have to” in English.

3. Nuance and Strength

While both can often be translated as “must” or “have to,” the nuance changes:

• Il faut can sometimes feel more urgent and inescapable. “It is necessary” leaves no room for argument.
• Devoir can imply a choice, even if it’s a strong moral one. “I must” comes from you.

A Helpful Analogy in English

Think of the difference in English between:

• “It is necessary for me to leave.” (Impersonal, like il faut) – The situation demands it.
• “I must leave.” (Personal, like je dois) – I have made the decision that I need to go.

When They Overlap

In many everyday situations, the difference is subtle and the phrases are used almost interchangeably, especially when translated into English.

• Il faut que j’y aille. / Je dois y aller. (I have to go.)
• Il faut que je travaille. / Je dois travailler. (I have to work.)

However, a native French speaker will still perceive the subtle nuance described above.

Summary Table

Feature	Il faut que + subjonctif	Devoir + infinitif
Meaning	It is necessary that…	I must / have to
Origin	External (rule, logic, circumstance)	Internal (duty, moral, personal commitment)
Nature	Impersonal, general necessity	Personal, specific obligation
Grammar	Requires subjunctive mood	Modal verb + infinitive

Conclusion: Il faut is for an objective necessity imposed by the world, while devoir is for a subjective obligation felt by the individual. Understanding this distinction is a key step to thinking like a native speaker