Language/Spanish/Grammar/Tener

The use of the verb "Tener" (to have)

Conjugation

In Spanish, the verb "tener," translating to "to have," plays a crucial role in the language. As an irregular verb, "tener" deviates from the standard conjugation patterns typical of regular verbs, making its mastery essential for Spanish learners. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the conjugation of "tener" across various tenses in the indicative mood, including the present, past (both preterite and imperfect forms), and future tenses.

Understanding the conjugation of "tener" is fundamental not only for expressing possession but also for various other expressions in Spanish, such as indicating age, describing physical sensations or emotional states, and stating obligations or necessities. The irregular nature of "tener" means that its conjugated forms are unique and must be memorized, as they do not follow a predictable pattern like regular verbs.

In the subsequent sections, you will find comprehensive tables and examples that demonstrate the conjugation of "tener" in different grammatical contexts. This will aid in developing a more nuanced understanding of its usage in everyday Spanish, enhancing both your spoken and written skills in the language.

Present Tense - Presente de Indicativo

• yo tengo - I have
• tú tienes - you have (informal)
• él/ella/usted tiene - he/she/you (formal) have
• nosotros/nosotras tenemos - we have
• vosotros/vosotras tenéis - you all have (informal)
• ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen - they/you all (formal) have

Past Tense

a) Preterite Tense - Pretérito Perfecto Simple

• yo tuve - I had
• tú tuviste - you had (informal)
• él/ella/usted tuvo - he/she/you (formal) had
• nosotros/nosotras tuvimos - we had
• vosotros/vosotras tuvisteis - you all had (informal)
• ellos/ellas/ustedes tuvieron - they/you all (formal) had

b) Imperfect Tense - Pretérito Imperfecto

• yo tenía - I used to have, I had
• tú tenías - you used to have, you had (informal)
• él/ella/usted tenía - he/she/you (formal) used to have, had
• nosotros/nosotras teníamos - we used to have, we had
• vosotros/vosotras teníais - you all used to have, you all had (informal)
• ellos/ellas/ustedes tenían - they/you all (formal) used to have, had

Future Tense - Futuro Simple

• yo tendré - I will have
• tú tendrás - you will have (informal)
• él/ella/usted tendrá - he/she/you (formal) will have
• nosotros/nosotras tendremos - we will have
• vosotros/vosotras tendréis - you all will have (informal)
• ellos/ellas/ustedes tendrán - they/you all (formal) will have

Subjunctive Mood

Used for hypothetical situations, wishes, or emotions. The conjugation of "tener" in the subjunctive mood is as follows:

• yo tenga
• tú tengas
• él/ella/usted tenga
• nosotros/nosotras tengamos
• vosotros/vosotras tengáis
• ellos/ellas/ustedes tengan

Imperative Mood

Used for giving commands or requests. The conjugation of "tener" in the imperative mood varies depending on whether the command is affirmative or negative:

• Affirmative (tú): ten
• Negative (tú): no tengas
• Affirmative (usted): tenga
• Negative (usted): no tenga
• Affirmative (nosotros/nosotras): tengamos
• Negative (nosotros/nosotras): no tengamos
• Affirmative (vosotros/vosotras): tened
• Negative (vosotros/vosotras): no tengáis
• Affirmative (ustedes): tengan
• Negative (ustedes): no tengan

Use of the verb "Tener" in Spanish

Use of the verb "Tener" to express feelings or sensations

In English, we use TO BE + ADJECTIVE:

• Tengo hambre

I'm hungry

It's less common to say:

• Estoy hambriento (like in English).

In Spanish we use TENER + NAME:

• Tengo frío

I'm cold

• Tengo sueño

I'm sleepy

Use of the verb "Tener" to say your age

• In English, they use "to be": I'm 22 (years old).

• In Spanish, we say "Tengo 20 (años)".

Use of the verb "Tener" to express possession

• Tengo una casa

I have a house

Use of the verb tener"Tener" to manifest obligation

• Tengo que estudiar

I have to study

Examples of Use (Phrases)

This section provides practical examples of how "tener" is used in various contexts:

Expressing Feelings or Sensations

Tengo miedo

I am scared

Tengo calor

I am hot

Tengo prisa

I am in a hurry

Indicating Age

Tengo treinta años

I am thirty years old

¿Cuántos años tienes?

How old are you?

Expressing Possession

Tengo un libro interesante

I have an interesting book

¿Tienes un bolígrafo?

Do you have a pen?

Indicating Obligation

Tengo que irme ahora

I have to go now

Tenemos que terminar el proyecto

We have to finish the project

Using Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que tengas paciencia

It's important that you have patience

Quiero que tengamos una conversación

I want us to have a conversation

Using Imperative Mood

Ten cuidado

Be careful (informal)

Tengan éxito

Be successful (formal/plural)

Complete Quiz

Test your understanding of the verb "tener" with this comprehensive quiz:

• 1. Choose the correct form of "tener" for the following sentence: "Yo _____ dos hermanos."

a) tengo

b) tienes

c) tienen

• 2. Translate to Spanish: "They need to have patience."

a) Tienen que tener paciencia

b) Tenemos que tener paciencia

c) Tengo que tener paciencia

• 3. Fill in the blank with the correct subjunctive form of "tener": "Es necesario que tú _____ cuidado."

a) tenga

b) tengas

c) tengamos

• 4. What is the imperative form of "tener" for an informal command (tú)?

a) Ten

b) Tienes

c) Tenga

• 5. How do you say "I am 25 years old" in Spanish?

a) Soy 25 años

b) Tengo 25 años

c) Estoy 25 años

Answers

1. a) tengo

2. a) Tienen que tener paciencia

3. b) tengas

4. a) Ten

5. b) Tengo 25 años

Other Lessons

• Sentense Structure
• Conditional Mood
• Por vs Para
• Negation
• Prepositions
• How to conjugate in spanish
• Future Tense
• Use of verb Haber
• Be Polite
• The word that cannot be written