You most likely know the phrase tener means “to have.”
It’s a typical phrase, too, utilized in all kinds of phrases and expressions.
Between its irregular yo type and an affinity for stem-changing, tener is an ongoing conjugation problem that solely will get simpler with loads of apply.
Studying a few of the commonest Spanish expressions with tener will make it easier to get the cling of this difficult verb—and also you’ll even come away with just a few colourful phrases so as to add to your repertoire to talk like a local speaker!
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1. Tener que — To should
For these occasions while you simply should do one thing, tener que is the phrase you’re searching for.
That is a kind of makes use of of que that illustrates the flexibleness of the phrase (translating as “to” quite than the same old “that”), however simply consider the entire phrase as “to should” and also you’ll be good to go.
Tengo que comprar unas manzanas.
I should purchase just a few apples.
No tenemos que visitar la biblioteca mañana.
We don’t should go to the library tomorrow.
2. Tener un buen día — To have an excellent day
This phrase is usually used when saying goodbye if you wish to want somebody a pleasant day—and hey, life’s too brief to not supply effectively needs.
In fact, it’s unimaginable to know whether or not the individual in query will then have an excellent day or not, so that you’ll want to interrupt out the subjunctive temper for this one.
One other trace: The expression usually carries que (that) on the entrance, with the implication being one thing like “(I hope) that you’ve got a pleasant day.”
Tengo que salir. Que tengas un buen día.
I’ve to go away. Have an excellent day.
Adiós, María. Adiós, Carlos. Que tengan un buen día.
Goodbye, Maria. Goodbye, Carlos. Have an excellent day.
3. Tener que ver (con) — To should do (with)
You know the way to say “to have,” and you understand how to say “to do,” however should you begin occurring about “X tiene que hacer con Y,” you’re more likely to get some humorous seems. Nope! The expression in Spanish is tener que ver.
Mi queja tiene que ver con el servicio a la habitación.
My criticism has to do with the room service.
Eso no tiene nada que ver.
That has nothing to do with it.
4. Tenerlo fácil — To have it straightforward
Thankfully, there are nonetheless just a few Spanish expressions which might be precisely what the label says. Tenerlo fácil actually means “to have it straightforward,” and it means the identical factor it does in English.
Juan tiene un trabajo que paga bien. Lo tiene muy fácil.
Juan has a job that pays effectively. He has it really easy.
Si quieres tenerlo fácil, debes trabajar duro al principio.
In order for you to have it straightforward, you must work exhausting to start with.
5. Tener hambre/sed/sueño — To be hungry/thirsty/sleepy
Tener can also be used to specific numerous states of being.
Whereas in English we’d say “I’m hungry,” “I’m chilly” or “I’m in a rush,” a Spanish-speaker would use tener. For example, tengo hambre—actually “I’ve starvation”—means the identical factor similar factor as “I’m hungry.”
¿Tienes calor? Has trabajado todo el día bajo el sol.
Are you sizzling? You’ve labored within the solar all day.
No puedo hablar ahora. Tengo prisa.
I can’t discuss now. I’m in a rush.
6. Tener (número) años — To be (quantity) years outdated
On a associated word, tener also can specific age. What number of years do you may have?
No puedes beber cerveza hasta que tengas 21 años.
You possibly can’t drink beer till you’re 21 years outdated.
Después de mi cumpleaños, tendré 25 años.
After my birthday, I can be 25 years outdated.
7. Tener lugar — To happen
Do you’ll want to describe the place one thing is going on? Don’t be fooled into utilizing tomar (to take) for this expression. It’ll should be tener!
Esta escena tiene lugar en un bosque cerca de Atenas.
This scene takes place in a forest close to Athens.
La conferencia tendrá lugar en Nueva York.
The convention will happen in New York.
8. Tener ganas de (infinitivo) — To really feel like (doing one thing)
Attempt to not get this blended up with ganar (to win, to realize). Gana merely means “need” or “want.” Subsequently, tener ganas de adopted by a verb expresses a need or want to do one thing.
Después de esa comida, tengo ganas de dar una vuelta.
After that meal, I really feel like taking a stroll.
Supongo que no tiene ganas de jugar con nosotros.
I suppose he/she doesn’t really feel like taking part in with us.
9. Tener en cuenta — To consider
You is perhaps aware of cuenta from earlier adventures in restaurant Spanish: The phrase means “account” and can be used for “invoice” or “verify.”
When used with tener, nonetheless, it refers to taking one thing under consideration within the sense of retaining it in thoughts.
Ten en cuenta que aún tengo que devolver la chaqueta.
Bear in mind that I nonetheless should return the jacket.
Tuve en cuenta la edad del carro cuando lo compré.
I took the age of the automobile under consideration after I purchased it.
10. Tener éxito — To achieve success
When you’ve discovered to not be tripped up by the false cognate éxito (the phrase means “success,” not “exit”), it’s time to get used to inserting tener in entrance of it.
“To have success” could sound unusual to an English speaker’s ears, however tener éxito is the equal of phrases which might be extra widespread in English: “to achieve success” or “to succeed.”
Ha tenido éxito en todo lo que hace.
He’s been profitable at the whole lot he does.
Es importante estudiar mucho para tener éxito en tus exámenes.
It’s vital to check quite a bit to succeed in your exams.
11. Tener la culpa — To be at fault
Culpa means “fault” or “guilt” (sure, similar to mea culpa in Latin), so, naturally, it’s not one thing you wish to have.
Nevertheless, should you ever really feel the necessity to name out another person’s wrongdoing (or your personal), use tener la culpa.
No tiene la culpa de lo que sucedió en la casa.
What occurred on the home isn’t his fault.
Les voy a convencer de que tienes la culpa.
I’m going to persuade them that you’re guilty.
12. Tener a (alguien/algo) por — To take (somebody/one thing) for
We’ve already seen how tener can line up with “to take” in sure phrases. Should you maintain that in thoughts, you should not have any hassle understanding the way it’s getting used right here.
Me tuvieron por un plomero o milusos o algo.
They took me for a plumber or handyman or one thing.
Tengo a Carlos por un amigo leal.
I think about Carlos to be a loyal pal.
13. No tener remedio — To not have the ability to be helped
There are many occasions in life when your issues don’t have straightforward options and while you really feel like throwing your palms up and saying it might’t be helped.
Thankfully, studying the way to use the phrase no tener remedio isn’t a kind of conditions.
Quería solucionar el problema, pero no tiene remedio.
I needed to unravel the issue, however it might’t be helped.
Su tendencia a comportarse como un bobo no tiene remedio.
His tendency to behave like a idiot can’t be helped.
14. Tener claro — To make sure
Claro means “clear,” so tener claro is used for conditions when one thing could be very clear to somebody or when somebody is certain about one thing.
Tienen claro que el proyecto es necesario.
They’re positive that the venture is critical.
Tengo claro que tengo que seguir aprendiendo español.
It’s clear to me that I’ve to continue to learn Spanish.
How one can Observe Expressions with Tener
The phrases included on this put up are only a small pattern of the expressive prowess of tener. To maintain working towards by yourself, attempt the next suggestions:
- When you’ve discovered just a few wonderful expressions, attempt incorporating them into your conversations. You is perhaps shocked how usually the phrase comes up.
- One other vital a part of tener apply is being attentive to the way it’s used. Preserve an eye fixed (and an ear) out for tener and make word of any usages you don’t perceive.
- Watch genuine movies to see how tener expressions and different widespread phrases are utilized in context. It’s an effective way to mix immersion-style apply with an additional concentrate on the phrases you’re working towards.
Should you’re searching for sources to immerse your self in genuine Spanish movies, the FluentU program has a various array of clips from native audio system with interactive captions. You too can search for Spanish reveals on providers like Netflix or Hulu.
If phrases are the constructing blocks of language, tener is sort of a keystone. The truth that it’s utilized in so many various expressions implies that mastering the phrase is a crucial step towards studying the way to specific your self in new methods.
Preserve working towards tener, maintain utilizing the phrases on this put up and tendrás mucho éxito (you’ll be very profitable).
¡Que tengas un buen día! (Have an excellent day!)
Obtain:
This weblog put up is out there as a handy and moveable PDF that you just
can take wherever.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)
