Idiomatic Expressions With the Verb "Tener"

Explanation

 The verb tener means to have. It is considered an irregular verb in the present tense as it follows a slightly different conjugation pattern in the "yo" form. It is one of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish, and it helps in the construction of idiomatic expressions (expressions that cannot be translated literally). Thus, to speak and write like a native, you need to know a range of idiomatic expressions. Let's start with "tener".

Conjugation of "Tener (to have)"

Yo                              tengo
Tú                              tienes
Él, Ella, Usted             tiene
Nosotros                   tenemos
Vosotros                   tenéis
Ustedes, Ellos, Ellas   tienen
I                                              have
You (inf., sing.)                      have
He, she, You (for., sing.)      has/have
We                                          have
You-all (Spain)                        have
You all, They  (m.), They (f.)   have

Simple Uses

1. Yo tengo un perro
2. Ella tiene una hermana
3. Nosotros tenemos tiempo
I have a dog
She has a sister
We have time

Idiomatic Expressions

1. Tengo frío
2. Tengo calor
3. Tengo hambre
4. Tengo sed
5. Tengo miedo
6. Tengo sueño
7. Tengo prisa
8. Tengo cuidado
9. Tengo razón
10. Tengo vergüenza
11. Tengo suerte
12. Tengo éxito
I am cold (literally: I have cold)
I am hot (literally: I have heat)
I am hungry (literally: I have hunger)
I am thirsty (literally: I have thirst)
I am scared (literally: I have fear)
I am sleepy (literally: I have sleep)
I am in a hurry (literally: I have rush)
I am careful (literally: I have care)
I am right (literally: I have reason)
I am embarrassed (literally: I have shame)
I am lucky (literally: I have luck)
I am successful (literally: I have success)

Audio

First, do the activity on the right-hand side. Then, listen to this audio clip to check your answers. Finally, play it again and repeat after me to practice your pronunciation.

Grammar Practice