TENER – “to have”
The verb TENER means “to have” We have used this verb before to express age: Ex) Yo tengo trece años (I am 13 yrs. old / I have 13 yrs.) You can also use TENER with physical descriptions and with possession. Ex) I have green eyes. Yo tengo ojos verdes Ex) I have red hair Yo tengo pelo colorín
Conjugations of TENER Yo – tengo Tú – tienes Él, Ella, Ud. - tiene Nosotros – tenemos Vosotros – tenéis Ellos, Ellas, Uds. - tienen
Examples I am 26 years old You are 14 years old Jorge is 15 years old (Yo) tengo veintiseis años You are 14 years old (Tú) tienes catorce años Jorge is 15 years old Jorge tiene quince años We are 13 years old / Susana and I are 13 yrs. old (Nosotros) tenemos trece años / Susana y yo tenemos trece años Y’all are 16 years old (Vosotros) tenéis dieciseis años They are 12 years old (Ellos) tienen doce años
Tener is also used in a variety of idiomatic expressions (expressions that can not be literally translated, but that communicate an idea) Tengo calor = I’m hot Tengo frío = I’m cold Tengo sueño = I’m sleepy Tengo hambre = I’m hungry Tengo sed = I’m thirsty Tengo miedo = I’m afraid
I am blond, and I have blue eyes You have green eyes, and you like soccer He has brown eyes, and is tall, dark, and handsome We have brown hair (pelo) and we are students Ya’ll have black hair (pelo) They have blond hair (pelo), and are from the U.S.
I am blond, and I have blue eyes You have green eyes, and are pretty. Yo soy rubio, y tengo ojos azules You have green eyes, and are pretty. Tú tienes ojos verdes, y eres guapa. He has brown eyes, and is tall, dark, and handsome Él tiene ojos cafes y es alto, moreno, y guapo. We have brown hair (pelo) and we are students Nosotoros temenos pelo café y somos estudiantes Ya’ll have black hair (pelo) Vosotros tenéis pelo negro. They have blond hair (pelo), and are from the U.S. Ellos tienen pelo rubio, y son de los Estados Unidos.