Showing results for tener
tener
to have
To have, hold, or possess something
Encoding Strategies:
repetition
Tener means to have, and nearly all of its uses connect back to the core idea of holding or possessing something0.
tener
to have, to own (possession)
To have or own something.
- Tengo tres coches = I have three cars
- Tiene los ojos verdes = She has green eyes
to be (age)
In Spanish, you possess your age by 'having' years rather than 'being' an age like in English.
- Mi hermana tiene 33 años = My sister is 33 years old (my sister has 33 years)
- ¿Cuántos años tienes? = How old are you? (how many years do you have?)
to be, to feel (sensations)
In Spanish, you 'have' sensations rather than 'being' them, like saying you "have a feeling" in English.
- Si tienes frío, ponte un abrigo = If you are cold, put on a coat (if you have cold)
- Tengo hambre = I am hungry (I have hunger)
to be, to measure (measurements)
An object possesses or 'has' its own dimensions.
- Esta maleta tiene 20 centímetros de ancho = This suitcase is 20 centimeters wide (this suitcase has 20 cm of width)
- El río tiene 300 kilómetros de longitud = The river is 300 kilometers long (the river has 300 km of length)
to have, to hold (events)
To have or hold a scheduled event, similar to how English says "to hold a meeting."
- El lunes tengo una cita con el dentista = I have a dentist appointment on Monday
- Mañana tenemos junta en la tarde = We have a meeting tomorrow afternoon
to hold, to take (physical grasp)
To physically have or hold something in your hands.
- Ten la bandeja = Hold the tray
- Ten tu bolsa = Take your bag
tener que
to have to, must (obligation)
When you 'have to' do something, you have an obligation.
- Tengo que terminar mis deberes antes de salir = I have to finish my homework before leaving
- Tienes que comer todo en tu plato si quieres postre = You must eat everything on your plate if you want dessert (you have to eat everything)
tenerse
to stand, to hold oneself up (upright)
To 'hold' yourself up, by standing or remaining upright.
- Estaba tan mareado que no me tenía de pie = I was so dizzy I couldn't stand up (I couldn't hold myself up)
- Apenas me tenía de pie después de correr tanto = I could barely stand after running so much (I could barely hold myself up)