DELE A1 Guide: Verb Tener – Conjugation and Uses
← Return to DELE A1 Grammar Hub
Want to practice first? Try a General Tener Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Master Tener conjugations in present tense
- Learn “tener que” for obligations and necessities
- Understand age expressions with tener
- Learn common tener expressions for daily life
- Essential for DELE A1 conversations and descriptions
Welcome to your complete guide to the verb Tener, one of the most important and versatile verbs for the DELE A1 exam. Tener means “to have” but is used in many essential expressions you’ll need for basic communication.
What is the Verb Tener?
Tener is an irregular verb that means “to have” or “to possess.” However, it’s used in many common expressions that don’t directly translate to “have” in English. Mastering Tener is crucial for the DELE A1 speaking and writing sections.
Tener Conjugation Chart
Present Tense Conjugation
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | tengo | Yo tengo un libro |
| Tú | tienes | Tú tienes una hermana |
| Él/Ella/Usted | tiene | Él tiene veinte años |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | tenemos | Nosotros tenemos una casa |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | tenéis | Vosotros tenéis un coche |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | tienen | Ellos tienen dos hijos |
DELE A1 Tip: Notice that Tener is irregular in the yo form (tengo) and has stem changes in tú, él, and ellos forms. Practice these conjugations daily!
Main Uses of Tener
1. Possession and Ownership
- Yo tengo un perro (I have a dog)
- Ella tiene una bicicleta nueva (She has a new bicycle)
- Nosotros tenemos una reunión (We have a meeting)
2. Age Expressions
- Tengo veinte años (I am twenty years old)
- Mi hermano tiene quince años (My brother is fifteen years old)
- ¿Cuántos años tienes? (How old are you?)
3. Obligations with “Tener que”
- Tengo que estudiar (I have to study)
- Tienes que trabajar (You have to work)
- Tenemos que ir al supermercado (We have to go to the supermarket)
Common Tener Expressions
Physical States and Feelings
- tener hambre – to be hungry
- tener sed – to be thirsty
- tener sueño – to be sleepy
- tener frío – to be cold
- tener calor – to be hot
- tener miedo – to be afraid
- tener prisa – to be in a hurry
Example Sentences for DELE A1
- Tengo hambre – I am hungry
- Tienes frío? – Are you cold?
- Ella tiene prisa – She is in a hurry
- Tenemos sueño – We are sleepy
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Describe your family: “Tengo dos hermanos”
- Talk about possessions: “Tengo un ordenador”
- Express needs: “Tengo que estudiar español”
- Describe feelings: “Tengo calor”
Writing Section Examples
- Write about your age: “Tengo ___ años”
- Describe obligations: “Tengo que trabajar”
- List possessions: “Tengo un gato y un perro”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use “ser” for age: ❌ “Soy veinte años” ✅ “Tengo veinte años”
- Don’t use “estar” for hunger: ❌ “Estoy hambre” ✅ “Tengo hambre”
- Remember the irregular forms: ❌ “Yo teno” ✅ “Yo tengo“
Practice with Our Free Spanish Tools
Perfect your Tener conjugations with our interactive tool:
Click here to open our Spanish Conjugation Tool!
Practice all the forms and get instant feedback on your answers.
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of verb Tener?
Take our DELE A1 Verb Tener Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more verbs? Study Verb Ir and Future Plans
- Need expression practice? Review Common Spanish Expressions
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
