Learn Spanish

Varied Uses of the Verb Tener

To express age

¿Cuántos años tienes? - How old are you?
Tengo veintidos años. - I am 22 years old

To indicate possession

Tengo una casa en California. - I have a house in California.
Tengo cuatro hermanas. - I have four sisters.

To indicate obligations

To express an obligation, use tener + que + infinitive

Tengo que estudiar mucho. - I have to study a lot.
¡Tienes que prestar atención! - You have to pay attention!

To express sensations

To express a sensation, use tener + noun.

Tener calor (to be hot)
Tengo calor - I am hot.

Tener frio (to be cold)
Tienes frío. - You are cold.

Tener hambre (to be hungry)
Él tiene hambre. - He's hungry.

Tener sed (to be thirsty)
Tenemos sed. - We're thirsty.

Tener miedo (to be scared)
Ellos tienen miedo. - They're scared.

Tener suerte (to be lucky)
Tengo mucha suerte. - I am very lucky.

To express a desire to do something

Tener + ganas + de + infinitive

Tengo ganas de dormir. - I feel like sleeping.
¿Tienes ganas de comer? - Do you feel like eating?

As an auxiliary verb (instead of haber)

Tengo recibido su catálogo ilustrado y lista de precios.
I have received your illustrated catalogue with price list.

¿Tiene recibidas las cotizaciones?
Have you received the quotations?

Los presupuestos, que tenemos recibidos para nuestra fábrica del Distrito Federal.
The estimates which we have received for our factory in Mexico City.


Category: General Spanish
Search for Language Schools by Country

     
 
Web www.123TeachMe.com

login
home | about | language schools | help | site map | contact
Learn Spanish from a native Spanish-speaking tutor without leaving your home. Click here for details.