Idiomatic Expressions with 'Tener'
Idiomatic Expressions with "Tener" (NOTES, DO NOT LOSE)
An idiom is an expression that cannot be immediately understood by analyzing its literal meaning. A few examples of idioms in English are:
to be "on the go"
to "play the field"
to "jump the gun"
Spanish also has many idiomatic expressions. Although their literal translations sound odd to English speakers, they sound perfectly natural to native speakers. Here is one example:
Idiom: Hace mucho frío
Literally: It makes much cold
True Meaning: It is very cold
There are many idiomatic expressions that use the verb tener. This one expresses age:
Idiom: tener _____ años
Literally: to have _____ years
True Meaning: to be _____ years old
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Many tener expressions are used to describe physical sensations:
tener frío
to be cold
tener calor
to be hot
tener hambre
to be hungry
tener sed
to be thirsty
tener sueño
to be sleepy
tener dolor de
to hurt or be sore, etc.
There are also many idiomatic expressions with tener that express a frame of mind:
tener prisa
to be in a hurry
tener miedo a
to be afraid of something
tener miedo de
to be afraid to do something
tener celos
to be jealous
tener la culpa
to be guilty
tener confianza
to be confident
tener cuidado
to be careful
tener vergüenza
to be ashamed
tener razón
to be right
tener ganas de
to feel like
Here are a few more tener expressions you are likely to come across:
tener éxito
to be successful
tiene que ver con
has to do with,
is related to (subject)
tener a mano
to have on hand
tener derecho a
to have the right to
tener suerte
to be lucky
tener lugar
to take place
tener la costumbre de
to have a habit of
tener en cuenta
to take into account
keep in mind
tener en común
to have in common
tener en la punta de la lengua
to have on the tip of your tongue
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When using these idiomatic expressions, conjugate the verb (tener) according to the subject of the sentence.
Yo tengo la culpa. I am at fault
Tú tienes suerte. You are lucky.
Pablo tiene sueño. Pablo is sleepy.
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Notice that the expressions combine the verb tener with a noun:
el año
los celos
el frío
la confianza
el calor
el cuidado
la hambre
la vergüenza
la sed
la razón
el sueño
el éxito
el dolor
la culpa
la prisa
la suerte
el miedo
el lugar
Because the expressions with tener use nouns, they are modified with adjectives, not adverbs.
Tengo frío.
Tengo mucho frío. (not muy)
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Go to these websites more practice with TENER expressions. These activities also tell you whether your answers are correct.
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Spanish Learning Resources
© Copyright 1998-2001
All Rights Reserved
This lesson may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes, provided this copyright notice appears at the beginning and the end.
Spanish Learning Resources
© Copyright 1998-2001
All Rights Reserved
This lesson may be reproduced for non-profit educational purposes, provided this copyright notice appears at the beginning and the end.
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