Key points about expressions with 'tener' in Spanish
- The verb Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. means 'to have'.
- Tener is an Something that does not follow the usual or ‘regular’ pattern. verb.
- There are some common expressions in Spanish that use tener (to have) where in English the verb 'to be' would be used.
Video - The verb 'tener'
Watch this video to understand how to use the verb tener in Spanish.
The verb 'tener' in Spanish means 'to have'
How to use the verb 'to have' in Spanish.
In Spanish, the verb ‘to have’ (tener) is very useful.
It’s tengo - I have
tienes - you have
tiene - he/she/it has
Tengo un portátil - I have a laptop.
Tú tienes un portátil - You have a laptop.
Mi primo tiene pecas - My cousin has freckles.
There are some phrases in English where you would say 'I am' but in Spanish you would say ‘I have’:
Tengo calor or tengo frío,
And in phrases like tengo sueño (‘I’m tired’) or tengo hambre (‘I’m hungry’).
Just like for any verb, you can put no in front of it to make it negative.
No tengo hambre (‘I’m not hungry’) or no tengo sueño (‘I’m not tired’).
You use it to say how old someone or something is.
Tengo diecisiete años - I am seventeen years old.
Remember, when you’re talking about someone else tengo becomes tiene.
Mi madrastra tiene cuarenta años - My step-mum is forty years old.
If you want to say you have to do something, you put que after the verb tener.
I have to - tengo que.
Tengo que hacer mis deberes - I have to do my homework.
How to conjugate the verb 'tener' in Spanish
Tener is an irregular verb and is A verb that is not in the infinitive form but has been changed to match the subject of the verb, for example I go, he goes. as follows:
| tener | to have |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I have |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (singular informal) have |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/she/you (singular formal) has |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we have |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you (plural informal) have |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they/you (plural formal) have |
Common phrases that use 'tener'
Here are some common phrases in Spanish that use the verb tener, where in English they would be formed with the verb ‘to be.’
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be sleepy |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be right |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be thirsty |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be hungry |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be hot |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be cold |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be scared |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be successful |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be lucky |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | to be careful |
For example:
Siempre tengo razón. - I’m always right.
¿Tienes hambre? - Are you hungry?
No, no tengo hambre, pero tengo sed. - No, I am not hungry, but I am thirsty.
Tengo frío, voy a ponerme un jersey. - I am cold, I am going to put a jumper on.
Mi hermana tiene sueño. - My sister is sleepy.
Mis padres tienen suerte. - My parents are lucky.
Expressions with 'tener' - Mini quiz
Translate the following into Spanish:
I am cold.
Tengo frío.
Translate the following into Spanish:
He is scared.
Tiene miedo.
Quiz - Expressions with 'tener'
Practise what you've learned about expressions with tener in Spanish with this quiz.
Now you have learned about expressions with tener in Spanish why not explore por and para in Spanish?
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