Надо и нужно


Could someone explain the difference between надо and нужно? I just don't get it.

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dominic | 0 points - almost 5 years ago

Надо means I must, I should, I need to - with a moral like obligation implied: 
"I need to call my mom."
 
Нужно is a more straightforward need without moral obligation implied: 
"I need a pencil for this task."

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quinton.gutkowski | 0 points - almost 5 years ago

Надо is a more informal, colloquial form

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sommer.kilback | 0 points - almost 5 years ago

My native friend said that there's no real difference between надо and нужно. His words: Usually we don't put nouns after "надо" like, say: "мне надо такси". It sounds much better if you use it with the verbs: "Мне надо вызвать такси". "Нужно" is also used exclusively with verbs, but you can use it with nouns IF you modify this word according to genders: 
 
Мне нужен телефон - I need a phone 
Мне нужна ручка - I need a pen 
Мне нужны деньги - I need money 
Ты мне нужен – I need you

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