The Spanish verb tener in Spanish is irregular. In its most basic sense, it is used to show possession (“to have” in English).
Tengo un carro. I have a car
¿Tienes hermanos? Do you have brothers?
The present tense conjugations of tener in Spanish are as follows. Conjugations in all other tenses can be viewed here.
Tener (to have) |
|
| tengo | tenemos |
| tienes | tenéis |
| tiene | tienen |
Tener is used to express obligation; tener que + any verb in its infinitive form.
Tenemos que estudiar. We have to study.
Mañana tengo que trabajar. Tomorrow I have to work.
Many other idiomatic expressions use tener where English uses ‘to be’
Tener……
| … frío | to be cold | … razón | to be right |
| … calor | to be hot | no … razón | to be wrong |
| … sed | to be thirsty | … sentido | to make sense |
| … hambre | to be hungry | … sueño | to be tired |
| … prisa | to be in a hurry | … cuidado | to be careful |
| … miedo | to be afraid | … vergüenza | to be embarrassed |
Tener is also used to express age
¿Cuántos años tienes? How old are you?
Tengo veinticinco años. I am 25 years old.
