SPN 101: Verb TENER

Spanish Language Grammar: Tener

The verb tener (to have) is not only vital in Spanish as it is very used, but also because it indicates: (1) it shows possession; (2) it is used to show age; (3) it is used in several idiomatic expressions; and (4) it can show obligation. Note: Tener is an irregular verb. The conjugations are:
Yo tengo, tú tienes, ud, él, ella tiene; nosotros/as tenemos, vosotros/as tenéis, ustedes/ellos/as tienen
(These conjugations are similar to the one with the verb venir (to come): Yo vengo, tú vienes, usted viene; nosotros venimos, vosotros venís, ustedes vienen)

(1) Possesion: The simplest and most common meaning of tener is to show posession.
Ejercicio 1. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1. I have ten dollars. She doesn’t have money. 3. Who has the book? 4. Do you have my keys (llave)? 5. We have a new house.

(2) Age: In English, to be is used to show age. I am thirty-eight years old. In Spanish, however one has years: Tengo treintiocho años. When asking the age of someone (or something) you will literally ask how many years (or months, days, etc.) he, she, it had: ¿Cuántos años tiene usted?/ ¿Cuántos años tiene Greg?/ ¿Cuántos años tiene su mamá?
Ejercicio 2. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1. I am______________ (state how old you are). 2. You are nineteen years old. 3. How old is your house? 4. I am not 15 years old. 5. How old is your car?

(3) Idiomatic expressions. There are several expressions in Spanish that use tener where in English these use to be. For example instead of being cold (an adjective), one has coldness (a noun).
Common expressions
Tener (mucho) calor = to be (very hot); tener (mucho) frío = to be (very) cold; tener (muchas) ganas de = to feel (very much) like; tener (mucha) hambre = to be very hungry; tener (mucho) miedo = to be (very) afraid; tener (mucha) prisa = to be in a (big) hurry; tener (mucha) sed = to be (very) thirsty; tener (mucha) suerte = to be (very) lucky; tener (mucho) sueño = to be (very) sleepy; tener (mucha) razón = to be (very) right; no tener razón = to be wrong.
Ejercicio 3. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1. I am very lucky. 2. Are you sleepy? 3. They are not cold. 4. Do you feel like dancing? 5. She is very hungry.

(4) Obligation. In order to show obligation, we will use the following formula:
tener (conjugated) + que + infinitive
Ex: Tengo que practicar basketball con mi equipo (I have to practice basketball with my team). Tienen que estudiar para el examen (You have to study for the exam). ¿Tiene usted que hablar con el profesor? (Do you have to speak with the professor).
Ejercicio 4. Translate these sentences into Spanish.
1.I have to read this article (artículo). 2. You (plural) have to watch this video. 3. We have to decide now. 4. You (sing, formal) have to say ‘gracias’. 5. They don’t have to eat.