Meaning of Tener
The verb tener means to have in English. It is used to express possession, age, obligation (with que), and certain physical states or feelings. As an irregular verb, it does not always follow the regular conjugation patterns seen in other -er verbs.
Usage of Tener
Tener is typically used to indicate ownership or possession, for example, tener un coche (to have a car). It is also used to express age, e.g., tener veinte años (to be twenty years old). Additionally, when combined with que followed by an infinitive, it expresses obligation, like tener que estudiar (to have to study). It also appears in common expressions for feelings or physical conditions such as tener hambre (to be hungry) or tener frío (to be cold).
Conjugation of Tener
Below is the present indicative tense conjugation of tener, showing its irregular forms for each Spanish subject pronoun.
| Spanish Pronoun | Spanish Conjugation | English Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | tengo | I have | Yo tengo dos hermanos. | I have two brothers. |
| tú | tienes | you have (informal) | ¿Tú tienes un libro nuevo? | Do you have a new book? |
| él / ella / usted | tiene | he/she/you have (formal) | Ella tiene una casa grande. | She has a big house. |
| nosotros / nosotras | tenemos | we have | Nosotros tenemos tiempo libre. | We have free time. |
| vosotros / vosotras | tenéis | you all have (informal) | Vosotros tenéis una reunión hoy. | You all have a meeting today. |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tienen | they/you all have (formal) | Ellos tienen un perro pequeño. | They have a small dog. |
Common Expressions with Tener
Tener appears frequently in set expressions describing physical states, emotions, or needs. Some common ones include:
- tener hambre - to be hungry
- tener sed - to be thirsty
- tener sueño - to be sleepy
- tener frío - to be cold
- tener calor - to be hot
- tener miedo - to be afraid
- tener prisa - to be in a hurry
- tener razón - to be right
- tener ganas de - to feel like (doing something)
Each of these uses tener with a noun to describe a condition or feeling, a construction that differs from English where to be is often used.
Summary
The verb tener is a versatile and important irregular verb in Spanish meaning to have. It is central for describing possession, age, obligations, and many states in everyday conversations. Learning its irregular conjugation and common expressions will greatly enhance your Spanish fluency.
