Uses of 'Tener'
Spanish: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 4.2.10
Uses of 'Tener'
Possession
- You can use 'tener' to show that someone owns or has something in Spanish.
- Tengo tres hermanas.
- I have three sisters.
- Ellos tienen un coche rojo.
- They have a red car.
Age
- In Spanish, you do not say 'I am 10 years old', you say 'I have 10 years'.
- ¿Cuántos años tienes?
- How old are you?
- Tengo once años.
- I am 11 years old.
Hungry or thirsty
- In Spanish, you don’t say ‘I am hungry’ or ‘I’m thirsty’.
- In Spanish you say ‘I have hunger’ or ‘I have thirst’.
- Flora tiene hambre.
- Flora is hungry.
- Tengo sed.
- I am thirsty.
Obligation
- You can use 'tener' and an infinitive to express obligation.
- Tengo que estudiar mucho.
- I have to study a lot.
Test yourself on Uses of 'Tener'
How do you say 'She has to leave early' in Spanish?
What's wrong with the boy in the picture?