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Spanish Tener Idioms

Spanish uses tener + a noun for many states that English expresses with "to be": tener hambre (to be hungry), tener 30 años (to be 30). Conjugate tener as usual to match the subject.

  • CEFR A1
  • 8-question quiz
  • 2 exercises

An idiom is an expression that cannot be immediately understood by analyzing its literal meaning. There are many idiomatic expressions with tener. In our previous lesson we learned all about the verb TENER (Tener Module) and its stem change and irregular yo form. As a quick review, let’s take a look at its conjugation chart below:

 TENER = To have

Yo tengo – I haveNosotros(as) tenemos – We have
Tú tienes – You (informal) haveVosotros(as) tenéis – You all have
Él tiene – He has
Ella tiene – She has
Usted tiene – You (formal) have		Ellos tienen – They have
Ellas tienen – They have
Ustedes tienen – You all have

Now, how do we use tener with idioms…?

Today we’re going to dive deeper into the verb TENER by discussing its idioms. Tener Idioms are phrases that change the meaning of the verb TENER when paired together. When we use these idioms, we will conjugate the verb tener just as we would if it stood alone. Check out the list of common TENER IDIOMS below!

Tener _____ años = To be _____ years old. (Yo tengo 15 años = I am 15 years old)
Tener + que + infinitive (unchanged form of a verb) = To have to (Tengo que trabajar = I have to work)
Tener + ganas de + infinitive = To feel like ______ (Tienen ganas de nadar = They feel like swimming)
Tener hambre = To be hungry (Tenemos hambre = We are hungry)
Tener sed = To be thirsty (Ella tiene sed = She is thirsty)
Tener prisa = To be in a hurry (Tenemos prisa = We are in a hurry)
Tener calor/frío = To be hot/cold (En el Sur siempre tenemos calor = In the South we are always hot)

Key vocabulary

WordMeaningExample
tener ... añosto be ... years oldMi socio tiene cuarenta años.
tener hambreto be hungryTenemos hambre, ¿vamos a almorzar?
tener sedto be thirstyDespués de correr, siempre tengo sed.
tener fríoto be cold¿Tienes frío? Puedo cerrar la ventana.
tener calorto be hotEn verano tenemos mucho calor en la oficina.
tener prisato be in a hurryLo siento, tengo prisa. Hablamos mañana.
tener sueñoto be sleepyTengo sueño después de un vuelo tan largo.
tener miedo (de)to be afraid (of)Mi hijo tiene miedo de los perros grandes.
tener ganas de + infinitiveto feel like (doing something)Tengo ganas de tomar un café.
tener que + infinitiveto have to (do something)Tengo que enviar el contrato hoy.

Practice: Spanish Tener Idioms

Work through the exercises, then test yourself with the quiz. Learn from your mistakes and try again as often as you like.

Exercises

What would you say?

Read each situation and write the tener expression that fits. Conjugate tener to match the subject.

  1. It is 29 °F outside and you forgot your jacket. You say: "Yo ______."

    to be cold

    Show answer

    Tengo frío.

  2. You haven't eaten all day. When the server asks how you are, you and your friend say: "Nosotros ______."

    to be hungry

    Show answer

    Tenemos hambre.

  3. Someone asks how old your son is (he is ten). You say: "Él ______."

    to be ... years old

    Show answer

    Tiene diez años.

  4. Your friends are lost in the desert with no water. Ellos ______.

    to be thirsty

    Show answer

    Tienen sed.

  5. Your friend is driving very fast. You ask: "¿Tú ______?"

    to be in a hurry

    Show answer

    ¿Tienes prisa?

  6. Your dog is panting a lot. You tell your husband: "Ella ______."

    to be hot

    Show answer

    Tiene calor.

  7. Your curfew is 10:00 and it's 9:45. You tell your friends: "Yo ______."

    to have to leave (irse)

    Show answer

    Tengo que irme.

  8. Your favorite song comes on the radio. You say: "Yo ______ bailar."

    to feel like

    Show answer

    Tengo ganas de

Complete the sentence

Fill in the correct form of tener.

  1. Después de la reunión, nosotros ______ mucha hambre.

    After the meeting we're very hungry.

    Show answer

    tenemos

  2. ¿Cuántos años ______ tu hermana?

    How old is your sister?

    Show answer

    tiene

  3. Yo ______ sueño porque trabajé hasta tarde.

    I'm sleepy because I worked late.

    Show answer

    tengo

  4. Los niños ______ miedo de la tormenta.

    The children are afraid of the storm.

    Show answer

    tienen

  5. ¿Usted ______ frío? Puedo subir la calefacción.

    Are you cold? I can turn up the heat.

    Show answer

    tiene

  6. Tú ______ que llegar a las ocho.

    You have to arrive at eight.

    Show answer

    tienes

Quiz: 8 questions

1. How do you say "I am 35 years old"?
2. What does "Tenemos prisa" mean?
3. It's very cold in the office. You say:
4. Mis colegas ______ ganas de salir temprano.
5. Which expression means "to be thirsty"?
6. Yo ______ trabajar este sábado.
7. ¿Tienes hambre? means...
8. Mi hija ______ miedo de la oscuridad.

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