Identify

• The verb [TENER] means to have, it is an irregular verb.
• May be used in a wide variety of physical states of being.

Connect

• LEAF Spanish Grammar: The Verb [TENER] – Basics

60-Second Spanish Grammar Lesson

Study

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The verb TENER means to have. It shows possession!

Possession:

Yo tengo un libro de español.
I have a Spanish book.

Nosotros tenemos una clase de inglés pronto.
We have an English class soon.

¿Tú tienes la tarea para hoy?
Do you have the homework for today?

You’ll also use the verb TENER when you need to tell people when you are hungry, thirsty, scared, or other feelings!

Yo tengo hambre.
I have hunger. (I am hungry.)

Yo tengo sed.
I have thirst. (I am thirsty.)

¿Tú tienes calor?
Do you (familiar) have warm? (Are you warm?)

Nosotros no tenemos frío.
We do not have cold. (We are not cold.)

¡Ellas tienen mucha suerte!
They (fem.) have much luck! (They are lucky!)

El niño tiene mucho sueño.
The child has much tired  (The child is very tired.)

Note how the YO, NOSOTROS, and VOSOTROS forms of TENER looks different from the others. This is because TENER is an irregular verb. Check out the lessons on irregular verbs for more details.

Adapt

¿Por qué no tengo suerte?
Why am I not lucky?

¿Cuántos niños tienen hambre?
How many children are hungry?

¿Tiene usted sed?
Are you (formal) thirsty?

¿Ellos no tienen frío?
They aren’t cold?

¿El bebé tiene mucho sueño?
Is the baby very tired?

Engage

• LEAF 60-Second Spanish Grammar Lesson Index
• LEAF Spanish Verb Conjugation Chart: The Verb [TENER]

Explore

• YouTube/MrLearnSpanish: The Verb Tener
• YouTube/MrLearnSpanish: The Spanish Verb Tener – Part 2
• YouTube/Speakado: “Tengo hambre”
• YouTube/Speakado: “Tengo sed”
• YouTube/Speakado: “Tengo calor”

Quizlet Activities

• Direct Link: [https://quizlet.com/_8ck32r]
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