Learn the versatile Spanish verb "tener" to express possession, age, and common physical sensations.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
¡Hola de nuevo! In this chapter, we're going to learn another extremely important Spanish verb: 'tener,' which means 'to have.' Just like 'ser' and 'estar,' 'tener' is used very frequently and in various contexts beyond just expressing possession. We'll explore its conjugation and some of its most common uses, significantly expanding your ability to talk about yourself and others.
(Optional Review): Can you recall the present tense conjugations of 'ser' and 'estar'? Recognizing verb patterns will be helpful as we learn 'tener'!
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| yo | tengo | I have |
| tú | tienes | you have (informal) |
| él | tiene | he has |
| ella | tiene | she has |
| usted | tiene | you have (formal) |
| nosotros/as | tenemos | we have |
| vosotros/as | tenéis | you have (informal, plural - primarily Spain) |
| ellos/as | tienen | they have |
| ustedes | tienen | you have (formal, plural / informal plural in Latin America) |
Pronunciation Tip: Pay attention to the irregular "yo" form: "tengo." The "ie" and "e" vowel changes in some forms are common in Spanish verbs.
To express that someone owns something, you use "tener" + noun.
To say how old someone is, you use the structure "tener" + [number] + "años" (years).
In Spanish, "tener" is used in several idiomatic expressions where English uses "to be."
Master the verb "tener" and its common expressions.
Import Chapter 11 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Draw a line (mentally or on paper) to match the Spanish pronoun on the left with the correct present tense conjugation of "tener" on the right.
yo ( ) tienen
tú ( ) tenemos
él ( ) tienes
ella ( ) tengo
usted ( ) tenéis
nosotros/as ( ) tiene
ellos/as ( ) tiene ustedes ( ) tienen
vosotros/as ( ) tieneAnswer Key:
yo → tengo
tú → tienes
él → tiene
ella → tiene
usted → tiene
nosotros/as → tenemos
ellos/as → tienen
ustedes → tienen
vosotros/as → tenéisInstructions: Choose the sentence that correctly uses "tener" to express the given meaning (correct answer bolded in key).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Practice the following speaking and writing exercises.
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct present tense conjugation of "tener."
Answer Key:
Instructions: Write three original Spanish sentences using "tener":
(No answer key - personalize it)
Instructions: Translate the following English sentences into Spanish using "tener."
Answer Key:
Instructions: In pairs, take turns asking and answering what you and others possess.
Student A: "¿Qué tienes?"
Student B: "Tengo [noun]." "¿Y tú?"
Student A: "Yo tengo [noun]."You can also ask about others: "¿Qué tiene [name]?"
Instructions: In pairs, take turns asking and answering how old you are and how old other people are.
Student A: "¿Cuántos años tienes?"
Student B: "Tengo [number] años." "¿Y tú?"
Student A: "Tengo [number] años."
Student A: "¿Cuántos años tiene [name]?"Instructions: In pairs, role-play short scenarios where you use the "tener" expressions.
Scenario 1: One person is shivering and says they are cold. The other person asks if they want a jacket.
Scenario 2: One person says they are very hungry. The other person suggests getting food.
Scenario 3: One person says they are afraid of spiders. The other person tries to reassure them.
It's interesting to note that Spanish often uses the verb 'tener' (to have) to express feelings and physical states that English expresses with 'to be' (ser or estar). For example, instead of saying 'I am hungry,' Spanish speakers say Yo tengo hambre , which literally translates to 'I have hunger.' Similarly, 'I am cold' becomes Yo tengo frío ('I have cold'), and 'I am thirsty' is Yo tengo sed ('I have thirst').
This difference in expression reflects a subtle cultural nuance in how these sensations are perceived. In Spanish, these states are often thought of as something you 'possess' or experience, rather than being an inherent quality or a temporary condition of your being, as might be implied by 'to be' in English.
Another key example is expressing age. In English, we say 'I am [number] years old.' In Spanish, the equivalent is Yo tengo [number] años, meaning 'I have [number] years.' For instance, Yo tengo veinte años means "I am twenty years old." This is a fundamental difference to be aware of and remember when speaking Spanish.
Paying attention to these differences in how common concepts are expressed can provide a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and the cultural perspectives that shape it. It's not just about translating words directly; it's about understanding how different languages frame our experiences.
Present tense forms of tener: tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tenéis, tienen.
Common expressions: tener hambre, tener sed, tener frío, tener calor, tener sueño, tener miedo (de), tener razón, tener suerte.
Using "tener" for possession, age, and various idiomatic expressions.
Can you correctly conjugate "tener" for all subject pronouns? Can you use "tener" to talk about what you have, your age, and common physical sensations?
Congratulations on learning the verb 'tener' and its many uses! In our next chapter, "¿Qué quieres?" (What do you want?), we will expand your ability to ask questions. You will learn essential Spanish question words like qué (what), quién (who), dónde (where), and cuándo (when). We will also focus on using these questions to express basic needs and wants, as well as learn some simple phrases for ordering food and drinks. Get ready to start asking and getting what you need in Spanish!