Conjugate and Use ‘Have’ in Spanish Accurately
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The verb tener (to have) in Spanish is likely one of the most helpful verbs as you start to be taught Spanish. It’s important to be taught to say “have” in Spanish to speak about possessions and relationships. This powerhouse verb will develop your communication abilities due to the way it’s used in another way than in English. This information will allow you to begin with the fundamental current tense conjugation of tener and a number of the most typical expressions that use it.
Tips on how to conjugate tener (to have) in Spanish
As an irregular Spanish verb you’ll must be taught six completely different types of tener that don’t observe a predictable sample like common verbs do. One of the simplest ways to grasp these kinds is to familiarize your self with this beneficial chart so that they’ll make sense while you see them in motion.
yo tengo | I’ve | nosotros tenemos | we now have |
tú tienes | you’ve (singular, casual) | vosotros tenéis | you’ve (plural, casual) |
él/ella/usted tiene | He/she/it hasyou have (singular, formal) | ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen | they haveyou have (plural) |
With this beneficial info, now you can conjugate some extra superior verbs, similar to mantener (to take care of), obtener (to acquire/to get), and entretener (to distract/to entertain). Simply add on the best Spanish prefix!
>>Wish to transfer past the current tense? Be taught all 18 Spanish verb tenses.
Use tener to speak about your possessions and relationships
In some ways, “I’ve” in Spanish is utilized in the identical means as English.
- No tengo coche, pero tengo un pase de autobús. = I don’t have a automotive, however I’ve a bus cross.
- Tengo tres sobrinos. Mi hermana tiene dos hijos y mi hermano tiene una hija. = I’ve 5 nieces and nephews. My sister has two kids and my brother has a daughter.
You too can type questions in Spanish by utilizing “do you’ve,” or another types of tener that match your topic.
- ¿Tienes preguntas? = Do you’ve questions?
- La maestra tiene la respuesta. = The trainer has the reply.
Use tener to speak about your age in Spanish

In Spanish, you talk about our edad (age) by stating the variety of “years we now have” as an alternative of the “age we’re.”
- ¿Cuántos años tienes? = How outdated are you?
- Yo tengo 15 años y mi hermana tiene 11. = I’m 15 and my sister is 11.
The literal translations of those phrases could be “What number of years do you’ve?” in Spanish, with the reply “I’ve 15 years and my sister has 11.” That is simply one of many fundamental Spanish phrases that makes use of tener for on a regular basis dialog.
Discuss obligations with tener que
You probably have an obligation, certainly one of your choices to precise it’s the phrase tener que (to must).
- Tengo que irme. = I’ve to depart.
- Tienes que limpiar la cocina. = You need to clear the kitchen.
- Tenemos que estudiar mucho. = We now have to check rather a lot.
Talk about needs with tener ganas de
To speak about what you’re feeling like doing, use the phrase tener ganas de adopted by an infinitive verb.
- Tengo ganas de viajar. = I really feel like touring.
- El perro no tiene ganas de caminar hoy. = The canine doesn’t really feel like strolling at this time.
- ¿Tienes ganas de tomar un cafecito? = Do you’re feeling like getting a espresso?
Categorical sure emotions with the verb ‘have’ in Spanish
There are a number of expressions for bodily sensations and a few idiomatic expressions that use the verb “to have” in Spanish, fairly than “am.”
- Tengo hambre. = I’ve starvation. (I’m hungry)
- Tiene sed. = She has thirst. (She’s thirsty).
- ¿Tienes frío? = Do you’ve chilly? (Are you chilly?)
With many of those expressions, use the right type of tener (to have) in Spanish the place you’d usually use a type of “to be” in English.
Spanish | English |
tener calor | to be scorching |
tener frío | to be chilly |
tener en cuenta | to take note of |
tener éxito | to achieve success |
tener hambre | to be hungry |
tener la culpa | to be responsible |
tener lugar | to happen |
tener miedo | to be afraid |
tener prisa | to be in a rush |
tener razón/no tener razón | to be appropriate/to be incorrect |
tener sed | to be thirsty |
tener sueño | to be sleepy |
tener suerte | to be fortunate |
Talk with confidence utilizing ‘have’ in Spanish
Utilizing the phrase “do you’ve” in Spanish may help you begin a dialog in a store or restaurant, and throwing in an idiomatic expression similar to tengo mucha sed (I’m very thirsty) may help you meet your wants. Whilst a newbie, you’ll be able to impress native audio system with the infinite makes use of of “have” in Spanish, as this versatile verb may help you specific possessions, relationship, age, obligations, needs, and emotions.
As a substitute of counting on mere memorization of all these information, you’ll be able to grasp “have” in Spanish. Rosetta Stone works by offering you with genuine contexts to see tener in motion as a way to tener confianza (to trust) and talk clearly from day one.