Tener Expressions: Complete A1 Beginner’s Guide
◄ Back to A1 Grammar Hub | Practice with Tener Expressions Quiz ►
Key Takeaways
- Master essential tener expressions for daily communication
- Learn tener que + infinitive for obligations
- Understand tener with age and physical states
- Practice common expressions with real-life examples
Introduction to Tener Expressions
The verb “tener” (to have) is much more versatile in Spanish than in English. Beyond simple possession, it’s used in many common expressions for age, physical states, obligations, and emotions. Mastering these expressions will make your Spanish sound much more natural and authentic!
Basic Tener Conjugation (Review)
Present Tense:
- yo tengo (I have)
- tú tienes (you have)
- él/ella/usted tiene (he/she/you has)
- nosotros tenemos (we have)
- vosotros tenéis (you all have)
- ellos/ustedes tienen (they/you all have)
Essential Tener Expressions
Tener with Age:
- “Tengo veinte años.” (I am 20 years old.)
- “¿Cuántos años tienes?” (How old are you?)
- “Mi hermana tiene quince años.” (My sister is 15 years old.)
Tener with Physical States:
- “Tengo hambre.” (I am hungry.)
- “Tengo sed.” (I am thirsty.)
- “Tengo frío.” (I am cold.)
- “Tengo calor.” (I am hot.)
- “Tengo sueño.” (I am sleepy.)
- “Tengo miedo.” (I am afraid.)
Tener with Emotions and Conditions:
- “Tengo razón.” (I am right.)
- “Tengo prisa.” (I am in a hurry.)
- “Tengo cuidado.” (I am careful.)
- “Tengo suerte.” (I am lucky.)
Tener que + Infinitive (Obligations)
Expressing “Have to”:
Structure: tener + que + verb (infinitive)
- “Tengo que estudiar.” (I have to study.)
- “Tienes que trabajar.” (You have to work.)
- “Tenemos que ir al mercado.” (We have to go to the market.)
- “Tienen que practicar español.” (They have to practice Spanish.)
Common Combinations:
- “tener que hacer” (have to do/make)
- “tener que ir” (have to go)
- “tener que trabajar” (have to work)
- “tener que estudiar” (have to study)
Using Tener with Body Parts
Instead of “to be” with body parts:
- “Tengo los ojos azules.” (I have blue eyes.)
- “Tiene el pelo largo.” (She has long hair.)
- “Tenemos las manos limpias.” (We have clean hands.)
Common Tener Expression Patterns
Making Questions:
- “¿Tienes hambre?” (Are you hungry?)
- “¿Tiene que trabajar hoy?” (Do you have to work today?)
- “¿Cuántos años tienes?” (How old are you?)
Making Negatives:
- “No tengo hambre.” (I’m not hungry.)
- “No tengo que trabajar.” (I don’t have to work.)
- “No tenemos prisa.” (We’re not in a hurry.)
Real-Life Usage Examples
Daily Conversations:
- “Tengo que ir al banco.” (I have to go to the bank.)
- “Tengo mucha sed.” (I’m very thirsty.)
- “No tengo tiempo.” (I don’t have time.)
Describing People:
- “Mi amigo tiene 25 años.” (My friend is 25 years old.)
- “Ella tiene el pelo castaño.” (She has brown hair.)
- “Tenemos los ojos marrones.” (We have brown eyes.)
Expressing Needs:
- “Tengo que comprar pan.” (I have to buy bread.)
- “Tenemos que llamar a María.” (We have to call Maria.)
- “Tienes que descansar.” (You have to rest.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use “ser” for age – Use “tener años,” not “soy 20 años”
- Don’t forget “que” in obligations – “tener que estudiar,” not “tener estudiar”
- Don’t use “estar” for physical states – “tengo hambre,” not “estoy hambre”
- Don’t mix up “tener” and “haber” – “tengo que ir,” not “he que ir”
Quick Reference Chart
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tener años | to be [age] | Tengo 20 años |
| tener hambre/sed | to be hungry/thirsty | Tengo hambre |
| tener frío/calor | to be cold/hot | Tengo frío |
| tener que + inf | to have to | Tengo que estudiar |
| tener razón | to be right | Tengo razón |
| tener prisa | to be in a hurry | Tengo prisa |
| tener miedo | to be afraid | Tengo miedo |
| tener sueño | to be sleepy | Tengo sueño |
Need help with verb conjugations? Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool to practice any verb in all tenses.
Ready to Practice?
Now that you understand tener expressions, it’s time to test your knowledge!
Take our Tener Expressions Quiz ► to practice age expressions, physical states, obligations, and common tener phrases.
What’s Next in Your A1 Spanish Journey?
◄ Spanish Negation | Ir + a + Infinitive ►
Need More Detailed Information?
- For advanced usage: Complete Tener Expressions Guide ►
- For exam preparation: DELE A1 Tener Guide ►
Remember: Tener expressions are used constantly in daily Spanish. Practice them in context, and soon you’ll use them as naturally as native speakers!
