tener

Senses

1. 1.

   to have

   to possess or own something

2. 2.

   to have (obligation or necessity)

   to be required or obliged to do something (tener + que + infinitive)

3. 3.

   to be (age, hunger, cold, etc.)

   to experience a physical or emotional state (tener + noun instead of ser)

4. 4.

   to hold or keep

   to grasp or maintain something in one's possession or attention

Examples

• "Tengo dos hermanas."

  I have two sisters.

• "Tienes que estudiar para el examen."

  You have to study for the exam.

• "Mi abuela tiene ochenta años."

  My grandmother is eighty years old.

Usage

One of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish. It is highly irregular in conjugation (tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tenéis, tienen). Common in fixed expressions: tener hambre (be hungry), tener sueño (be sleepy), tener miedo (be afraid), tener suerte (be lucky). Do not confuse with ser for permanent states or age.