How do you say he had to in French?

There are several ways to say "he had to" in French, depending on the context and nuance you want to convey:

Formal:

* Il a dû: This is the most common and neutral translation. It means "He had to" in a general sense.

* Example: "Il a dû partir tôt." (He had to leave early.)

Informal:

* Il devait: This is slightly more informal and can be used when talking about obligations or when something was expected.

* Example: "Il devait faire ses devoirs." (He had to do his homework.)

More specific:

* Il était obligé de: This emphasizes the sense of being forced or compelled to do something.

* Example: "Il était obligé de travailler tard." (He was forced to work late.)

* Il n'a pas eu le choix que de: This emphasizes that there was no other option.

* Example: "Il n'a pas eu le choix que de partir." (He had no choice but to leave.)

The best way to choose the right translation depends on the specific situation and the meaning you want to convey.