what do you have to say

[joham]

What do you have to say?

One of my net friends says that this sentence may has two meanings:
1. 'have to' has the meaning of 'must'.
2. What do you have that you want to say?

But to my ear the sentence means only the second.

Might I ask native English teachers to help me?

Thank you very much.

 

[Anglika]

What do you have to say?

One of my net friends says that this sentence may have two meanings:

1. 'have to' has the meaning of 'must'.
2. What do you have that you want to say?

But to my ear the sentence means only the second.

Might I ask native English teachers to help me?

Thank you very much.

I agree with you - the second one expresses the meaning better if you are asking for a person's views about something.

It can also carry the meaning: "You have made a serious mistake. How do you explain it?"

 

[acorn]

I agree with you - the second one expresses the meaning better if you are asking for a person's views about something. [red highlight added]

It can also carry the meaning: "You have made a serious mistake. How do you explain it?"

Agreed. When no context is given, I would interpret the question the same way. But conceivably in some context the question can also mean, "What is it that you have to say?"