Language/Spanish/Grammar/Tener

The use of "Tener" (to have)

- To express feelings or sensations. In English, people use an adjective; in Spanish we use a noun:

Tengo hambre (I'm hungry). It's less common to say: Estoy hambriento (like in English).

Tengo frío (I'm cold); tengo sueño (I'm sleepy).

- To indicate age. In English, they use "to be": I'm 22 (years old); in Spanish, we say "Tengo 20 (años)".

- To express possession:

Tengo una casa (I have a house).

- To manifest obligation:

Tengo que estudiar (I have to study).