How to use the verb ‘tener’ in Spanish?

The verb tener (meaning to have ) is a versatile one in Spanish. For example, did you know that in Spanish we say “I am hungry” using the verb tener: tengo hambre . This number of uses makes it very helpful to learn when speaking or writing in everyday Spanish; we use tener to talk about ownership, obligation, age, and many other expressions. Do you want to know what these uses are? You can have all this information if you keep reading! Let’s dive in!

Tener has uses that are equivalent to “to have” in English. Let's start with the uses that are similar to English.

When we possess something we express it with the verb tener. For example,

This use also includes the description of the different elements or components objects have.

To talk about family relationships and other relationships such as friends we use the verb tener.

• To express time you have available:

  Tengo 24 horas para entregar el documento.

  Translation: I have 24 hours to hand the document in.
  En el trabajo tenemos una hora para comer.

  Translation: At work we have one hour for lunch.

• To express how long an activity has been occuring:

  Tengo dos horas intentando abrir la puerta.

  Translation: I have spent two hours trying to open the door.
  Tenemos diez años viviendo en esta casa.

  Translation: We have lived in this house for ten years.

Use tener to describe a person’s hair, eyes, nose, mouth, and other physical traits. Look at Laura’s picture and follow the descriptions below.

Tener also has uses that are not equivalent to “to have” in English. Let's see what these uses are.

Unlike English, age is expressed in Spanish with the verb tener.

This also applies to pets and non-living nouns such as buildings. For example:

Tener is also used to express physical needs, moods, or states and ailments. In English, the equivalent of these expressions use the verb “to be” + adjective. Let’s check some examples:

• To express physical needs such as:
  Tener hambre/sed (meaning to be hungry/ thirsty), tener sueño (meaning to be sleepy), tener frío/calor (meaning to feel hot/cold)

  ¡Este es un mal día para Gabriel! Tiene sueño, hambre, y frío. Tiene dolor de cabeza y por eso tiene mala cara.

  Translation: This is a bad day for Gabriel! He is sleepy, hungry, and cold. He has a headache and that’s why he’s in a bad mood.

• Physical states or moods:
  Tener is also used to express other physical states like being in a good/bad mood.
  

  Marco siempre está enojado, pero hoy tiene buena cara.

  Translation: Marco is always angry, but today he’s in a good mood.

  Literally: lit. he has a good face.

• For ailments or symptoms:
  Similar to English, tener is used to express ailments or symptoms like tener fiebre (meaning to have a fever) or tener dolor de + body part (meaning to have body aches ).
  

  Me siento muy mal. Tengo gripa y tengo dolor de oído.

  Translation: I don’t feel well. I have the flu and I have an earache.

For more expressions with tener + noun, check this list!

Obligation, advice, and deduction in Spanish can be expressed using the phrase tener que + infinitive. For example,

• Obligation:

  Tengo que estudiar antes de presentar el examen.

  Translation: I have to study before taking the exam.

• Advice:

  Tienes que ver al doctor pronto.

  Translation: You should go see the doctor soon.

• Deductions:

  Tiene que ser el mensajero.

  Translation: It must be the delivery man.

There are other ways to express obligation in Spanish, to learn more click the link!

Tener is also used in the expression tener ganas de + infinitive to say that the speaker feels like doing something.

Tener is also used in certain collocations. In some cases, the English equivalent also requires the use of the verb “to have.”

But in some cases it doesn't:

For more common expressions with tener check out our list!

As you can see, tener is a very versatile verb. In many cases it’s similar to the English “to have,” but it’s used in many common Spanish expressions. Let’s recap the main uses:

• To express possession, including expressions of time.

• To describe relationships.

• To express age.

• To express physical needs, moods, and ailments.

• To express obligation.

• To express desire with tener ganas de...

• With collocations where it combines with different nouns.

Ready to practice? Perfect! Here’s an activity to review the uses of tener. And if you want to review the conjugation of the verb tener, here are some tables for you!