The verb 'to have' in Spanish

The verb "tener" means "to have". It is also an irregular verb. Its conjugation in the present is as follows.

• Yo tengo
• Tú tienes
• Él / ella tiene
• Nosotros / nosotras tenemos
• Vosotros / vosotras tenéis
• Ellos / ellas tienen

The verb "tener" in America

In some South American countries "vos" is used instead of "tú" and "ustedes" is used instead of "vosotros or vosotras".

In these cases, the second person singular of the verb "tener" in the present tense is conjugated "vos tenés". The second person plural is conjugated "ustedes tienen".

The second person singular formal and informal

While in informal situations we use "tú", when we talk to someone in a formal way we use "usted". Then we say "usted tiene"

In summary

Idiomatic expressions with the verb "tener"

In Spanish there are many frequently used expressions that use the verb "tener". Some examples are:

• Tener calor - To be hot (I'm hot)
• Tener frío - To be cold
• Tener hambre - To be hungry
• Tener sed - To be thirsty
• Tener prisa - To be in a hurry
• Tener sueño - To be sleepy
• Tener miedo - To be afraid
• Tener ganas de - To feel like
• Tener razón - To be right

The verb "tener" is also used to express one’s age. Pay attention to the following dialogue:

- ¿Cuántos años tienes? - How old are you?

- Tengo 25 años - I'm 25 years old

Now it's your turn

Conjugate the verb "tener"