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- AuthorJoanna Tatomir
Joanna holds a PhD in Biology from the University of Michigan and is currently working towards a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. She has taught a combination of ESL and STEM courses to secondary and university students.
View bio - InstructorAshley Zehel
Ashley has a M.A. in Spanish as well as a B.S. in Foreign Language Education. She has taught K-12 and now teaches college level.
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Examine the Spanish verb tener or "to have" in English. See how tener is used in the present tense, and see examples of its use in expressions and sentences.Updated: 11/21/2023
Table of Contents
- What Does the Verb Tener Mean in Spanish?
- Tener in the Present Tense
- Tener Used in Expressions
- Tener in Conversation
- Lesson Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use the verb tener in Spanish?
Aside from its direct translation meaning "to have", many expressions in Spanish use tener. For example, tener que means to have to do something. Similarly, tener éxito means to be successful.
What are the different present tense forms of tener?
The present tense is used when talking about events and actions currently happening. The present tense conjugation of tener is: yo tengo (I have), tú tienes (you have), ella, él, Usted tiene (she, he has; you (formal) have), nosotras, nosotros tenemos (we have), vosotras, vosotros tenéis (you all have), ellas, ellos, Ustedes tienen (they, you (plural formal) have.
Table of Contents
- What Does the Verb Tener Mean in Spanish?
- Tener in the Present Tense
- Tener Used in Expressions
- Tener in Conversation
- Lesson Summary
The Spanish verb tener is a versatile word in the Spanish language. What does tener mean in Spanish? Most commonly, tener in English means "to have." Aside from this literal translation, there are also many idiomatic uses of tener in Spanish phrases and expressions. To determine the meaning of tener in these sayings, it is important to look at the entire context of the phrase or sentence. This tells the speaker or reader whether tener is used in the context of a feeling or as an action word.
As an irregular "-er" verb, tener does not follow the typical rules of conjugation for -er verbs. Instead, tener changes the spelling of its root form (ten) when used in different tenses. In the present tense, for example, the root form of tener changes in the first person, singular, second person singular, third person singular, and third person plural forms.
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Tener can be conjugated in a variety of different tenses. However, the most common tense that students learn is the present tense. The present tense focuses on events, actions, and feelings that are ongoing or currently taking place. The following chart shows the conjugation of tener in the present tense and the pronunciation of each form:
| Pronoun | Conjugated Form | Pronunciation | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | tengo | TEHN-goh | I have |
| Tú | tienes | tee-EHN-ehs | you have |
| Ella, Él, Usted | tiene | tee-EHN-eh | she, he has; you (formal) have |
| Nosotras, Nosotros | tenemos | teh-NEH-mohs | we have |
| Vosotras, Vosotros | tenéis | teh-NEHS | you all have |
| Ellas, Ellos, Ustedes | tienen | tee-EHN-ehn | they, you (plural formal) have |
These tener sentences provide examples of this verb in the present tense:
- ¿Vosotros tenéis las maletas?
- Translation: Do you all have the suitcases?
- This sentence uses the second person plural form of tener in the present tense: vosotros tenéis or 'you all have.'
- Yo tengo dieciocho conejillos de indias y una chinchilla.
- Translation: I have eighteen guinea pigs and one chinchilla.
- This sentence uses the first person singular form of tener in the present tense: yo tengo or 'I have.'
- Tienen un gran patio trasero.
- Translation: They have a big backyard.
- This sentence uses the third person plural form of tener in the present tense: ellos tienen or 'they have.'
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There are many tener expressions in Spanish. For some of these expressions, tener works with a helping word to change the meaning of the verb. In other instances, tener pairs with an adjective to express a state of being, such as hunger or sadness.
Tener in Idioms
Similar to English idioms, or phrases used in everyday conversation, Spanish idioms regularly take verbs like tener for use in other expressions. Some of these examples include:
- Combining tener + que plus an action or activity means to have to do something.
- Combining tener + prisa means to be in a hurry.
- Combining tener + razón means to be correct or right.
- Combining tener + éxito means to be successful.
These sentences use tener in a variety of these idiomatic expressions:
- Ella tiene que limpiar su cuarto.
- Translation: She has to clean her room.
- This sentence uses the form tener que to express having to complete an action or task.
- Mi madre tiene prisa cuando maneja al trabajo.
- Translation: My mother is in a hurry when she drives to work.
- This sentence uses tener prisa to describe being in a hurry.
- Siempre tengo razón.
- Translation: I am always right.
- This sentence uses tener razón to talk about being correct.
- Ella tiene éxito en todo lo que hace.
- Translaiton: She is successful in everything she does.
- This sentence uses tener éxito to say that someone is successful.
Tener with Physical Conditions
Aside from its uses in a variety of Spanish idioms, tener can also help when describing the physical conditions of individuals. For example, these sentences use tener to describe physical conditions in people:
- Pancho está en Alaska. Él tiene frío.
- Translation: Pancho is in Alaska. He is cold.
- This sentence uses tener with an adjective to describe the physical state of Pancho.
- Tú eres adulto. Tienes 18 años.
- Translation: You are an adult. You are 18 years old.
- This sentence uses tener to describe the age of an individual.
- Siempre tengo hambre.
- Translation: I am always hungry.
- This sentence uses tener to describe the physical sensation of hunger.
- Quiero un té, por favor. Tengo sed.
- Translation: I want tea, please. I am thirsty.
- This sentence uses tener with an adjective to describe the physical state of the person talking.
 |
Tener with Mental Status
Another important use of tener is when conveying the mental status of an individual. These sentences provide examples of these expressions.
- Mi hermanita siempre tiene miedo por la noche.
- Translation: My little sister is always afraid at night.
- This sentence uses tener to describe the feeling of fear in a child.
- Esa baillarina siempre tiene celoso de mí.
- Translation: That ballerina is always jealous of me.
- This sentence uses tener to describe the feeling of jealousy in a person.
- Ella tiene vergüenza a llevar su nueva vestida.
- Translation: She is embarrassed to wear her new dress.
- This sentence uses tener to describe the feeling of embarrassment in a person.
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This sample conversation uses tener in the present tense.
- Pedro: ¿Tienes la lista de la compra de la tienda?
- Translation: Do you have the shopping list for the store?
- Manuel: Sí, lo tengo, ¿pero seremos capaces de traerlo todo de vuelta?
- Translation: Yes, I have it, but will we be able to bring everything back?
- Pedro: Sí, tenemos que traer todo de vuelta. Tenemos mi camión.
- Translation: Yes, we have to bring everything back. We have my truck.
- Manuel: Tienes razón. ¿Pero sabes qué? Antes de comprar, tengo hambre y sed.
- Translation: You're right. But you know what? Before we shop, I'm hungry and thirsty.
- Pedro: Podemos ir a Oliver's Place. Tienen un gran almuerzo especial.
- Translation: We can go to Oliver's Place. They have a great lunch special.
- Manuel: Sí, y tengo calor. Estará fresco por dentro.
- Translation: Yes, and I am hot. It will be cool inside.
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Tener is a highly useful Spanish verb that is used in a variety of idiomatic expressions. Tener means 'to have' in English. In the present tense, the conjugation of tener is:
- Yo tengo (I have)
- Tú tienes (you have)
- Ella, Él, Usted tiene (she, he has; you (formal) have)
- Nosotras, Nosotros tenemos (we have)
- Vosotras, Vosotros tenéis (you all have)
- Ellas, Ellos, Ustedes tienen (they, you (plural formal) have)
Many Spanish expressions also use tener. For example, tener + que means to have to do something. Similarly, tener + razón means to be right. Aside from these expressions, tener can be combined with adjectives to describe the physical and mental states of people. For instance, tengo frío translates into 'I am cold,' while 'tengo sed means 'I am thirsty.' Tener can also be used when discussing a person's age, as with the phrase Tienes 18 años or 'You are 18 years old.'
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Additional Info
The Verb Tener
Tener (pronounced teh-nehr, with a soft 'r' at the end) means 'to have'. In its most basic form, it is used to express possession and necessity. At other times, it is used commonly in phrasing in which you'd normally use the verb 'to be~.' We will look at both the basic form of tener as well as common Spanish expressions that use this verb.
Tener - To Have
Tener is a go-verb, a verb that has a -go ending in the yo-form, and a stem-changing verb, so we will review the present tense conjugations before we begin:
| yo tengo (tayn-go) | nosotros tenemos (teh-nay-mos) |
| tú tienes (tee-en-ays) | vosotros tenéis (teh-nays) |
| él/ella/usted tiene (tee-en-ay) | ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen (tee-en-en) |
When you have something or have to do something, you will use the verb tener.
Tengo clase hoy. I have class today.
Tú tienes dos hijos. You have two children.
Nosotros solamente tenemos veinte pesos. We only have twenty pesos.
To say you have to do something, place the word que after tener.
Ellos tienen que estudiar para el examen. They have to study for the test.
Marta tiene que asistir el concierto. Marta has to attend the concert.
Yo tengo que investigar la situación. I have to investigate the situation.
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Expressions with tener
As mentioned, tener is used in Spanish at times when 'to be' would be used in English. Normally, tener is used to express age, basic needs, and some states of being. Here is a list of expressions that are commonly used with tener.
- tener...años - to be...years old
Mi padre tiene cincuenta años. My dad is fifty years old.
- tener calor - to be hot
- tener cuidado - to be careful
- tener frío - to be cold
- tener ganas de - to feel like
Tengo ganas de dormir después de hacer ejercicios. I feel like sleeping after exercising.
- tener hambre - to be hungry
- tener miedo (de) - to be scared (of)
Nosotros tenemos miedo de los tiburones. We are scared of sharks.
- tener prisa - to be in a hurry
- tener razón - to be right
- tener sed - to be thirsty
- tener sueño - to be sleepy
- tener suerte - to be lucky
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Lesson Summary
As you see, tener is a very useful verb! The most basic uses are for possession and necessity. Don't forget that when used for necessity, or saying that you have to do something, it must be followed by the word que. It is also important to familiarize yourself with common tener expressions since this verb is sometimes used instead of 'to be' in certain instances. ¿Tienes ganas de practicar? - Do you feel like practicing?
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