Tener is one of the most commonly used verbs in the Spanish language, and it is translated as “to have” in English. However, its usage goes far beyond just indicating possession. In fact, tener is used in a variety of contexts to express different meanings and is an essential verb to master for anyone learning Spanish.
Tener is often used to express age, physical sensations, and emotions. For example, to say “I am hungry” in Spanish, you would say “Tengo hambre,” literally meaning “I have hunger.” Similarly, to say “I am cold,” you would say “Tengo frío,” which translates to “I have cold.” This usage reflects the idea that these sensations and emotions are experienced as if they were possessions.
In addition to expressing physical sensations and emotions, tener is also used to indicate an obligation or necessity. For example, to say “I have to study,” you would say “Tengo que estudiar,” which literally means “I have to study.” This construction is used to express that something is necessary or obligatory for someone to do.
Furthermore, tener is used to talk about relationships and possession. For instance, to say “I have two sisters,” you would say “Tengo dos hermanas,” meaning “I have two sisters.” This usage of tener is used to indicate ownership or possession of something or someone.
In conclusion, tener is a versatile verb in the Spanish language that is used to express age, physical sensations, emotions, obligations, and possession. It is an essential verb to learn and understand for anyone learning Spanish, as it is used in a wide range of contexts.
What is tener?
Tener is a verb in Spanish that means “to have” or “to possess”. It is one of the most commonly used verbs in the language and is used in a variety of different contexts.
When is tener used?
Tener is used to indicate possession or ownership of an object or characteristic. For example, if you want to say “I have a car” in Spanish, you would say “Tengo un carro”.
Tener is also used to express various other concepts, such as expressing age or stating how someone feels. For example, to say “I am 25 years old” in Spanish, you would say “Tengo 25 años”. To say “I am thirsty” you would say “Tengo sed”.
Tener is often followed by a noun or an adjective that describes the object or characteristic being possessed. For example, to say “She has a dog” in Spanish, you would say “Ella tiene un perro”.
Examples of tener:
- Tengo una casa – I have a house
- Tiene dinero – He/She has money
- Tenemos dos hijos – We have two children
Overall, tener is a versatile verb in Spanish that is used to express a wide range of meanings related to possession, ownership, age, and emotions.
When to use tener in Spanish
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in a variety of situations. Here are some key instances when you should use “tener”:
1. Possession: Tener is used to talk about possession or ownership. For example, “Tengo un perro” means “I have a dog.”
2. Age: Tener is also used to express someone’s age. Instead of saying “I am 20 years old,” in Spanish you would say “Tengo 20 años.”
3. Expressing sensations and feelings: Tener is used to express physical and emotional sensations. For instance, “Tengo hambre” means “I am hungry,” and “Tengo miedo” means “I am scared.”
4. Expressing obligations and responsibilities: Tener is used to express obligations and responsibilities. For example, “Tengo que estudiar” means “I have to study.”
5. Expressing time: Tener is used to express the time. Instead of saying “It is two o’clock,” in Spanish you would say “Son las dos,” which literally translates to “It is the two o’clock.”
Remember that “tener” is an irregular verb, so its conjugation may vary depending on the subject and tense. It is important to practice and memorize the different conjugations of “tener” to use it correctly in Spanish.
Common expressions with tener
When it comes to Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in many common expressions. Here are some examples:
Tener hambre: This expression means “to be hungry.” For example, “Tengo hambre” translates to “I am hungry.”
Tener sed: This expression means “to be thirsty.” For example, “Tengo sed” translates to “I am thirsty.”
Tener frío: This expression means “to be cold.” For example, “Tengo frío” translates to “I am cold.”
Tener calor: This expression means “to be hot.” For example, “Tengo calor” translates to “I am hot.”
Tener sueño: This expression means “to be tired.” For example, “Tengo sueño” translates to “I am tired.”
Tener prisa: This expression means “to be in a hurry.” For example, “Tengo prisa” translates to “I am in a hurry.”
Tener miedo: This expression means “to be afraid.” For example, “Tengo miedo” translates to “I am afraid.”
Tener razón: This expression means “to be right.” For example, “Tienes razón” translates to “You are right.”
Tener cuidado: This expression means “to be careful.” For example, “Ten cuidado” translates to “Be careful.”
Tener ganas: This expression means “to feel like.” For example, “Tengo ganas de comer” translates to “I feel like eating.”
These are just a few examples of the many expressions that use the verb “tener” in Spanish. It is an important verb to know and can greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Spanish.
Tener in the present tense
Tener is a verb that is commonly used in Spanish. It is used to express possession, but can also be used to indicate age, physical sensations, and other conditions. In the present tense, tener is conjugated as follows:
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Yo | tengo |
| Tú | tienes |
| Él/Ella/Usted | tiene |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | tenemos |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | tenéis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | tienen |
For example:
– Yo tengo cinco libros. (I have five books.)
– Tú tienes un perro. (You have a dog.)
– Él tiene veinte años. (He is twenty years old.)
As you can see, tener is a versatile verb that is used in various contexts in Spanish.
Tener in the past tense
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used to indicate possession or to express various physical or emotional states. When conjugating “tener” in the past tense, it becomes “tuve” for the first person singular, “tuviste” for the second person singular, “tuvo” for the third person singular, “tuvimos” for the first person plural, “tuvisteis” for the second person plural, and “tuvieron” for the third person plural.
For example:
“I had a car” would be “Yo tuve un coche.”
“She had a cat” would be “Ella tuvo un gato.”
“We had a great time” would be “Nosotros tuvimos un tiempo maravilloso.”
It’s important to note that the past tense of “tener” is irregular and doesn’t follow the regular conjugation patterns of other verbs in Spanish. So, it’s essential to memorize and practice the conjugations to be able to use “tener” correctly in the past tense.
Tener in the future tense
Tener, which means “to have” in Spanish, is a verb that is used in various tenses and moods. One of the tenses in which tener is commonly used is the future tense.
In the future tense, tener expresses the idea of “will have” or “going to have.” It is used to indicate possession or the state of having something in the future.
For example:
Example 1:
I will have a car.
In Spanish: Yo tendré un coche.
Example 2:
We are going to have a party tomorrow.
In Spanish: Vamos a tener una fiesta mañana.
As you can see from these examples, tener is conjugated in the future tense by adding the appropriate ending to the infinitive form of the verb. In this case, the ending for the first person singular (I) is -é, and the ending for the first person plural (we) is -emos.
It is important to note that the future tense in Spanish is commonly used to talk about future plans, intentions, or predictions. Therefore, tener in the future tense is often used when discussing future possessions or things that someone will have in the future.
Tener in the conditional tense
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in the conditional tense to express hypothetical situations or actions that would happen under certain conditions. The conditional tense is formed by adding the appropriate endings to the base form of the verb.
For example:
1. “Yo tendría un coche nuevo si ganara la lotería.” (I would have a new car if I won the lottery.)
2. “Ella tendría más tiempo libre si tuviera un trabajo flexible.” (She would have more free time if she had a flexible job.)
3. “Nosotros tendríamos éxito si trabajáramos más duro.” (We would be successful if we worked harder.)
As you can see, the verb “tener” is used in the conditional tense to express the idea of having something or experiencing a certain situation. It is often used in combination with “si” (if) to express the condition under which the hypothetical situation would occur.
It’s important to note that the conditional tense is used to express polite requests or suggestions as well. For example:
1. “¿Podrías abrir la ventana, por favor?” (Could you open the window, please?)
2. “¿Tendrías algún consejo para mejorar mi inglés?” (Would you have any advice to improve my English?)
In these examples, the conditional tense is used to make a polite request or suggest something without being too direct.
Overall, the conditional tense of “tener” is a valuable tool in Spanish for expressing hypothetical situations, making polite requests, or offering suggestions.
Tener in the subjunctive mood
Tener, which means “to have” in Spanish, can also be used in the subjunctive mood to express doubt, possibility, or uncertainty. The subjunctive mood is used when there is a lack of certainty or when the action is subjective or hypothetical.
When using tener in the subjunctive mood, it is often accompanied by verbs such as esperar (to hope), querer (to want), or necesitar (to need). The subjunctive form of tener is used to express a subjective opinion or desire.
For example:
- Espero que tengas un buen día. (I hope that you have a good day.)
- Quiero que tú tengas éxito en tu nuevo trabajo. (I want you to succeed in your new job.)
- Necesito que ellos tengan paciencia conmigo. (I need them to have patience with me.)
In these examples, the subjunctive form of tener is used to express hope, desire, or need. It is important to note that the verb after que, which introduces the subjunctive clause, is conjugated in the present subjunctive form.
Tener in the subjunctive mood is a useful tool for expressing subjective thoughts, desires, and uncertainty in Spanish. By using this form, you can convey your opinions, hopes, and needs in a more nuanced and expressive way.
Tener in the imperative mood
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is commonly used in the imperative mood. The imperative mood is used to give commands or instructions. When used with “tener,” it expresses the idea of possession or ownership and is often used to instruct someone to have or possess something.
Here is how “tener” is conjugated in the imperative mood:
| Subject | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tú | Ten | Have |
| Usted | Tenga | Have |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | Tengamos | Let’s have |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | Tened | Have |
| Ustedes | Tengan | Have |
For example, if you want to tell someone to have a seat, you would say “Ten un asiento.” If you want to instruct a group of people to have fun, you would say “Tengan diversión.”
Overall, “tener” is an important verb to know in Spanish, and its imperative form is frequently used to give instructions or commands related to possession or ownership.
Tener in the participle form
When conjugating the verb “tener” in Spanish, it is common to use it in the participle form, which is “tenido.” This form is used to express actions or events that have already been completed.
Here are a few examples of how “tener” can be used in the participle form:
- He tenido una buena experiencia en mi viaje – I have had a good experience on my trip.
- Ella ha tenido éxito en su carrera – She has had success in her career.
- Hemos tenido muchos problemas últimamente – We have had a lot of problems lately.
The participle form “tenido” is also used in some compound tenses, such as the present perfect and the past perfect. These tenses are formed by combining “haber” (to have) with the participle form of “tener.” For example:
- He tenido la oportunidad de viajar – I have had the opportunity to travel. (present perfect)
- Había tenido el libro por varios días antes de leerlo – I had had the book for several days before reading it. (past perfect)
In summary, the participle form of “tener,” which is “tenido,” is used to talk about actions or events that have been completed. It is also used in compound tenses to express past actions or events.
Tener in the gerund form
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used to express possession or to indicate age. However, there is also another way to use “tener” in the gerund form.
The gerund form of “tener” is “teniendo”. This form is used to indicate an ongoing action or activity. It is formed by adding the suffix “-iendo” to the stem of the verb.
Here are some examples of how “tener” is used in the gerund form:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| I am having dinner | Estoy teniendo cena. |
| They are having a party | Están teniendo una fiesta. |
| She is having a good time | Ella está teniendo un buen tiempo. |
It is important to note that the gerund form of “tener” can only be used when the verb is used in the present tense. It cannot be used in the past or future tenses.
Overall, the gerund form of “tener” is a useful tool in expressing ongoing actions or activities in Spanish.
Idiomatic expressions with tener
Tener is a versatile verb in Spanish that is used in a variety of contexts. One of the most common uses of tener is to express possession or ownership of something. For example, “Tengo un coche nuevo” means “I have a new car”.
However, tener is also used in many idiomatic expressions that have different meanings from its literal translation. Here are some common idiomatic expressions with tener:
Tener ganas de – This expression is used to express a desire or craving for something. For example, “Tengo ganas de comer una pizza” means “I feel like eating a pizza”.
Tener que – This expression is used to talk about an obligation or necessity to do something. For example, “Tengo que estudiar para el examen” means “I have to study for the exam”.
Tener éxito – This expression is used to talk about having success or being successful. For example, “Ella tiene mucho éxito en su carrera” means “She is very successful in her career”.
Tener cuidado – This expression is used to warn or advise someone to be careful. For example, “Ten cuidado al conducir bajo la lluvia” means “Be careful when driving in the rain”.
Tener en cuenta – This expression is used to take something into consideration or keep something in mind. For example, “Tienes que tener en cuenta el presupuesto antes de realizar cualquier compra” means “You have to take the budget into consideration before making any purchase”.
Tener la culpa – This expression is used to accept blame or responsibility for something. For example, “Yo tengo la culpa de lo que pasó” means “I am to blame for what happened”.
Tener miedo – This expression is used to express fear or being afraid. For example, “Ella tiene miedo de volar en avión” means “She is afraid of flying in an airplane”.
Tener prisa – This expression is used to express being in a hurry or in a rush. For example, “Tenemos mucha prisa, así que debemos irnos” means “We are in a hurry, so we must leave”.
These are just a few examples of the many idiomatic expressions with tener in Spanish. Learning these expressions will help you to sound more natural and fluent in your Spanish conversations.
Tener and possessive adjectives
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used when talking about possession. It is an important verb that is used in various contexts to express ownership or possession of something.
When is tener used?
Tener is used to indicate possession or ownership of something. It is often translated as “to have” in English, but it is also used to express other meanings such as age, emotions, and physical sensations. Here are a few examples:
1. Possession: Yo tengo un perro. (I have a dog.)
2. Age: Ella tiene veinticinco años. (She is twenty-five years old.)
3. Emotions: Él tiene miedo. (He is afraid.)
4. Physical sensations: Nosotros tenemos hambre. (We are hungry.)
Possessive adjectives
In addition to the verb “tener,” Spanish also uses possessive adjectives to indicate possession. These adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Here are the possessive adjectives in Spanish:
Masculine singular: mi (my), tu (your), su (his/her/your/their)
Feminine singular: mi (my), tu (your), su (his/her/your/their)
Masculine plural: mis (my), tus (your), sus (his/her/your/their)
Feminine plural: mis (my), tus (your), sus (his/her/your/their)
For example:
1. Mi libro: My book
2. Tus gatos: Your cats
3. Sus hijos: His/her/your/their children
It’s important to note that possessive adjectives are placed before the noun they modify, while the verb “tener” is used in a sentence structure like “tener + noun.”
So, in conclusion, tener is used in Spanish to indicate possession, while possessive adjectives are used to show ownership in a more specific way. Understanding the usage of these words is crucial for developing fluency in Spanish.
Tener and age
When learning Spanish, one of the first uses of the verb “tener” that students come across is its use to express age. In Spanish, instead of saying “I am 20 years old”, you would say “I have 20 years”, using the verb “tener”.
This can seem odd at first to English speakers, but it is a common usage in Spanish and is important to understand.
Here are some examples:
- Tengo 25 años. – “I am 25 years old.”
- Él tiene 40 años. – “He is 40 years old.”
- Tenemos 30 años. – “We are 30 years old.”
Notice that “tener” is conjugated according to the subject of the sentence, while the number of years remains unchanged. This is a key difference between English and Spanish.
It’s important to note that “tener” is only used to express age up until the age of 99. Once a person reaches 100 years old, the verb “tener” is no longer used, and instead the verb “cumplir” is used. For example:
- Cumple 100 años. – “He/she is turning 100 years old.”
So when talking about age in Spanish, remember to use the verb “tener” until reaching 100 years old, and then switch to using “cumplir”.
Tener and feelings
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is often used to express feelings or emotions. This can be a bit confusing for English speakers, as we usually use different verbs to convey these emotions. However, in Spanish, “tener” is the go-to verb for expressing how we feel.
When it comes to feelings, “tener” is used in a similar way to the English verb “to have”. Instead of saying “I am hungry”, we would say “Tengo hambre”, which directly translates to “I have hunger”. So, instead of saying “I am thirsty”, we would say “Tengo sed” (literally “I have thirst”) and instead of saying “I am cold”, we would say “Tengo frío” (literally “I have coldness”).
Tener can also be used to express other emotions or feelings. For example, instead of saying “I am scared”, we would say “Tengo miedo” (literally “I have fear”). Similarly, instead of saying “I am tired”, we would say “Tengo sueño” (literally “I have sleepiness”) and instead of saying “I am excited”, we would say “Tengo emoción” (literally “I have excitement”).
It’s important to note that the verb “tener” is conjugated to match the subject of the sentence. For example, instead of saying “He is hungry”, we would say “Él tiene hambre” (literally “He has hunger”). Similarly, instead of saying “We are tired”, we would say “Nosotros tenemos sueño” (literally “We have sleepiness”).
Examples:
- Tengo miedo de los perros. (I am afraid of dogs)
- Él tiene alegría en su corazón. (He has joy in his heart)
- Ella tiene celos de su hermana. (She is jealous of her sister)
So, if you want to express your feelings or emotions in Spanish, remember to use the verb “tener” followed by the corresponding noun. This will help you accurately convey your emotions in the Spanish language.
Tener and physical sensations
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is commonly used to express physical sensations. The verb “tener” literally means “to have,” but in this context, it is used to indicate how someone feels physically.
Here are some examples of how “tener” is used to express physical sensations:
- Tengo hambre. (I am hungry.)
- Tienes frío. (You are cold.)
- Tiene sed. (He/she is thirsty.)
- Tenemos sueño. (We are sleepy.)
- Tienen calor. (They are hot.)
As you can see, the verb “tener” is conjugated to match the subject of the sentence. It is also commonly used with a noun to describe the specific physical sensation.
So, when you want to express how you or someone else feels physically in Spanish, remember to use the verb “tener.” It is a versatile verb that is frequently used in everyday conversations.
Tener and health
Tener is a versatile verb that is frequently used when discussing health in Spanish. It is often used to describe various conditions and states of being. Here are some common ways tener is used in relation to health:
Tener hambre: This phrase is used to say “to be hungry.” For example, “Tengo hambre” means “I am hungry.”
Tener sed: This phrase is used to say “to be thirsty.” For example, “Tengo sed” means “I am thirsty.”
Tener frío: This phrase is used to say “to be cold.” For example, “Tengo frío” means “I am cold.”
Tener fiebre: This phrase is used to say “to have a fever.” For example, “Tengo fiebre” means “I have a fever.”
Tener dolor de cabeza: This phrase is used to say “to have a headache.” For example, “Tengo dolor de cabeza” means “I have a headache.”
Tener dolor de estómago: This phrase is used to say “to have a stomachache.” For example, “Tengo dolor de estómago” means “I have a stomachache.”
Tener sueño: This phrase is used to say “to be sleepy.” For example, “Tengo sueño” means “I am sleepy.”
Tener miedo: This phrase is used to say “to be afraid.” For example, “Tengo miedo” means “I am afraid.”
Tener estrés: This phrase is used to say “to be stressed.” For example, “Tengo estrés” means “I am stressed.”
These are just a few examples of how tener is used in relation to health in Spanish. It is an important verb to learn and practice when discussing how you feel or describing various health conditions.
Tener and obligations
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is commonly used to express obligations. When someone has an obligation or a duty to do something, they use the verb “tener” followed by the infinitive form of the verb that represents the action or task that needs to be done.
For example:
- Tengo que estudiar para el examen. (I have to study for the exam.)
- Tienes que hacer la tarea. (You have to do the homework.)
- Tenemos que llegar temprano. (We have to arrive early.)
Notice that the verb “tener” is conjugated according to the subject of the sentence, while the verb that represents the action remains in its infinitive form.
It is worth mentioning that “tener” is not the only way to express obligations in Spanish. Other verbs like “deber” (must) and “necesitar” (need) can also be used depending on the context.
Other Expressions of Obligation:
In addition to using the verb “tener,” there are other expressions that can be used to express obligations in Spanish. Some common expressions are:
- Hay que + infinitive verb: This construction is used to express a general obligation or something that is necessary to do. For example, “Hay que estudiar todos los días.” (It is necessary to study every day.)
- Es necesario + infinitive verb: This construction is used to express a specific obligation or something that is necessary to do in a particular situation. For example, “Es necesario pagar la factura hoy.” (It is necessary to pay the bill today.)
- Se debe + infinitive verb: This construction is used to express a moral or social obligation. For example, “Se debe respetar a los mayores.” (One should respect the elders.)
These expressions offer more variety and flexibility when expressing obligations in Spanish.
To summarize, “tener” is commonly used in Spanish to express obligations. It is conjugated according to the subject of the sentence and is followed by the infinitive form of the verb representing the action or task that needs to be done. However, there are also other expressions that can be used to convey obligations in Spanish, providing more options for expressing different types of obligations.
Tener and preferences
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in various contexts, including expressing preferences. When talking about personal likes and dislikes, “tener” is used to convey preferences.
For example, to express that you like something, you can use the phrase “tener gusto por” followed by the noun or activity you enjoy. For instance, you could say “Tengo gusto por la música” which means “I have a liking for music.”
In addition to expressing likes, “tener” can also be used to express dislikes or aversions. In this case, you can use the phrase “tener aversión a” followed by the noun or activity you dislike. For instance, you could say “Tengo aversión a las arañas” which means “I have an aversion to spiders.”
Examples:
Example 1:
Yo tengo gusto por el chocolate. (I like chocolate.)
Example 2:
Ella tiene aversión a las películas de terror. (She has an aversion to horror movies.)
These examples show how “tener” is used to express personal preferences in Spanish. Whether it’s expressing likes or dislikes, “tener” is a versatile verb that helps convey your preferences to others.
Tener and desires
Tener, which means “to have” in Spanish, is often used to express desires and wants. When used in this context, tener is followed by a noun or an infinitive verb.
For example, if you want to express that you are hungry, you would use the phrase “Tengo hambre,” which translates to “I am hungry” in English. In this sentence, the noun “hambre” (meaning hunger) follows the verb tener.
You can also use tener to express other desires or wants. For instance, if you want to say that you are thirsty, you would say “Tengo sed,” which means “I am thirsty.” In this case, the noun “sed” (meaning thirst) follows the verb tener.
Tener can also be used with infinitive verbs to express desires or wants. For example, if you want to say that you want to travel, you would say “Tengo ganas de viajar.” In this case, the infinitive verb “viajar” (meaning to travel) follows the verb tener, and the noun “ganas” (meaning desire) is used to indicate the desire to travel.
Tener and abilities
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is commonly used to express abilities or skills. When used in this context, “tener” is translated as “to have” in English.
To talk about a specific ability or skill that someone has, you can use the following construction:
Subject + tener + article + ability/skill
For example:
Tengo una excelente memoria. (I have an excellent memory.)
Tiene habilidades para la comunicación. (He/She has communication skills.)
Tenemos una gran capacidad para resolver problemas. (We have a great ability to solve problems.)
It is important to note that in Spanish, the verb “tener” is used instead of the verb “to be” when talking about abilities or skills.
Overall, “tener” is a versatile verb in Spanish and can be used in various contexts, including expressing abilities and skills.
Tener and requirements
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in various contexts and has different meanings depending on the situation. One of the main uses of “tener” is to express possession or ownership. In this sense, it is similar to the English verb “to have”.
When used to indicate possession, “tener” is often followed by a noun or pronoun that represents the thing or quality that is possessed. For example:
Tengo un perro. (I have a dog.)
Tienes una casa grande. (You have a big house.)
Another use of “tener” is to express age. In this case, it is typically used in the third person singular or plural forms. For example:
Tiene veinte años. (He/She is twenty years old.)
Tienen diez años. (They are ten years old.)
Tener is also used in certain idiomatic expressions that describe physical or emotional states. For example:
Tengo hambre. (I am hungry.)
Tienes frío. (You are cold.)
Requirements using “tener”
In some cases, “tener” is used to express requirements or obligations. When used in this context, it is often accompanied by the word “que” followed by an infinitive verb. This structure is similar to the English phrase “have to” or “must”. For example:
Tengo que estudiar. (I have to study.)
Tienes que llegar temprano. (You have to arrive early.)
Note: The use of “tener que” is not limited to expressing requirements or obligations. It can also be used to express desires or intentions. For example:
Tenemos que ir al cine. (We want to go to the movies.)
Tener and limitations
Tener is a commonly used verb in Spanish, but it has its limitations. While tener is primarily used to indicate possession or to express age, there are a few other situations in which tener is used.
1. Expressing physical sensations
Tener can be used to express physical sensations such as hunger, thirst, cold, or heat. For example:
- Tengo hambre. (I’m hungry.)
- Tiene sed. (He/she is thirsty.)
- Tenemos frío. (We are cold.)
- Tienen calor. (They are hot.)
2. Describing obligations
Tener can also be used to describe obligations or responsibilities. For example:
- Tengo que estudiar para el examen. (I have to study for the exam.)
- Tiene que trabajar mañana. (He/she has to work tomorrow.)
- Tenemos que terminar el proyecto esta semana. (We have to finish the project this week.)
- Tienen que limpiar la casa antes de salir. (They have to clean the house before leaving.)
It’s important to note that tener is not always the appropriate verb to use in these situations. In some cases, other verbs such as sentirse (to feel) or deber (to have to) may be more appropriate. It’s essential to understand the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.
In conclusion, tener is a versatile verb in Spanish, often used to indicate possession, express age, physical sensations, and obligations. However, it’s important to be aware of its limitations and use the appropriate verb for the specific situation or meaning intended.
Tener and measurements
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is commonly used when talking about measurements. It is used to express possession, age, and many other physical attributes. Here are some examples of how “tener” is used in this context:
1. Tener + age
When talking about someone’s age, you use “tener” followed by the number of years. For example:
- Él tiene veinticinco años. (He is twenty-five years old.)
- Tengo treinta años. (I am thirty years old.)
2. Tener + physical attributes
“Tener” is also used to express physical attributes such as height, weight, and hair color. Here are some examples:
- Ella tiene el pelo castaño. (She has brown hair.)
- Él tiene los ojos azules. (He has blue eyes.)
Additionally, “tener” is used to talk about other measurements, such as temperature, distance, and time. Here are some examples:
- Hoy tenemos treinta grados. (Today we have thirty degrees.)
- El supermercado está a diez minutos de aquí. (The supermarket is ten minutes away from here.)
- Tengo una cita en media hora. (I have an appointment in half an hour.)
Overall, “tener” is a versatile verb that is frequently used when talking about measurements and physical attributes in Spanish.
Tener and time expressions
In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used in various ways to talk about time expressions.
One way “tener” is used in time expressions is to talk about someone’s age. In Spanish, instead of saying “I am 20 years old,” you would say “Yo tengo 20 años” which translates to “I have 20 years.” This usage of “tener” emphasizes that age is something you possess or have.
Another way “tener” is used in time expressions is to talk about the time of day. For example, to say “It is 2 o’clock” in Spanish, you would say “Son las 2” which literally means “They are 2” using the third-person plural form of “tener.” This usage of “tener” emphasizes the possession of time.
Tener can also be used to express the duration of time. For example, to say “I have been studying for 2 hours,” you would say “Llevo dos horas estudiando” which translates to “I have been carrying/still have two hours studying.” This usage of “tener” emphasizes the accumulation or possession of time spent doing an activity.
It is important to note that these are just a few examples of how “tener” is used in time expressions in Spanish.
Question-answer:
When do we use “tener” in Spanish?
“Tener” is used in Spanish to express possession or to indicate age.
Can you give me examples of how “tener” is used to express possession?
Of course! Here are a few examples: “Tengo un perro” (I have a dog), “Tenemos una casa nueva” (We have a new house), “Ella tiene dos hermanos” (She has two brothers).
How can “tener” be used to indicate age?
“Tener” is used with the phrase “tener + number + años” to indicate someone’s age. For example, “Tengo veinte años” (I am twenty years old) or “Él tiene cincuenta años” (He is fifty years old).
Is “tener” irregular in any way?
Yes, “tener” is an irregular verb in Spanish. In the present tense, the conjugations are: “yo tengo” (I have), “tú tienes” (you have), “él/ella/usted tiene” (he/she/you formal have), “nosotros tenemos” (we have), “vosotros tenéis” (you all have), “ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen” (they/you all have).
Are there any other common phrases or expressions that use “tener”?
Yes, there are many! Some common phrases using “tener” include: “tener hambre” (to be hungry), “tener sed” (to be thirsty), “tener frío” (to be cold), “tener miedo” (to be afraid). These phrases use the verb “tener” in combination with a noun to express a particular feeling or state.