11.5 Tener expressions
Tener Expressions
The verb tener (to have) is also used in expressions of physical or emotional states. While they can be translated literally into English, they sound odd. You are advised to memorize them and use them as formed phrases; with practice, they will start sounding more natural to you. To use them, you will conjugate tener in agreement with the subject of the sentence.
Ejemplo:
nosotros + tener hambre = (Nosotros) tenemos hambre. We are hungry.
Select the play button to hear an example.
Expresiones con Tener
| Español | English |
|---|---|
| tener hambre | to be hungry |
| tener sed | to be thirsty |
| tener frío | to be cold |
| tener calor | to be hot |
| tener miedo | to be scared |
| tener sueño | to be sleepy |
| tener cuidado | to be careful |
| tener prisa | to be in a hurry |
| tener razón | to be right |
| tener suerte | to be lucky |
To indicate that the state is heightened (to be very cold, for example), you can add the word mucho in front of the noun. You will have to be mindful of the gender of the noun.
Ejemplo:
(Yo) tengo mucha sed. I am very thirsty.
Finally, to make a sentence negative, you place no in front of the verb.
Ejemplo:
(Tú) no tienes sueño. You’re not sleepy.
