# 14. The Verb "Tener"

> Source: [A Complete Guide To Every Fundamental In Spanish](https://youtube.com/watch?v=YHDZSHCt1DE&t=3158s)

`Tener` means "to have." It's a stem-changing verb (e → ie) with an irregular `yo` form (`tengo`). It expresses possession (`tener` + noun), obligation (`tener que` + infinitive), and many "I am ___" expressions where English uses *to be* but Spanish uses *to have*.

## Key Rules
- `tener` is stem-changing **e → ie** in the boot forms, **and** the `yo` form is irregular: **`tengo`**.
- `nosotros` / `vosotros` keep the regular stem (`tenemos`, `tenéis`).
- **Possession**: `tener` + noun → *Yo tengo un perro.*
- **Obligation** (have to): use `tener` **+ que +** infinitive → *Yo tengo que salir* ("I have to leave"). Note: it's `que`, not `a`.
- Compare with `ir + a + infinitive` (going to do something) — both use a "preposition" before the infinitive, but `tener` uses **que** and `ir` uses **a**.
- Many "I am ___" expressions use `tener` because they describe **having** a feeling/state, not being it: age, hunger, cold, heat, fear, thirst, luck, care.

## Conjugation: tener (present indicative)

| Pronoun | Form |
|---------|------|
| yo | tengo |
| tú | tienes |
| él / ella / usted | tiene |
| nosotros | tenemos |
| vosotros | tenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tienen |

## "Tener" Expressions (English uses *to be*)

| Spanish | Literal | English |
|---------|---------|---------|
| Yo tengo 19 años. | I have 19 years. | I am 19 years old. |
| Yo tengo frío. | I have cold. | I am cold. |
| Yo tengo calor. | I have heat. | I am hot. |
| Yo tengo hambre. | I have hunger. | I am hungry. |
| Yo tengo sed. | I have thirst. | I am thirsty. |
| Yo tengo miedo. | I have fear. | I am afraid. |
| Yo tengo cuidado. | I have care. | I am careful. |
| Yo tengo suerte. | I have luck. | I am lucky. |

## Examples
| Spanish | English |
|---------|---------|
| Yo tengo un perro. | I have a dog. |
| Tú tienes que pagar. | You have to pay. |
| Él tiene un gato. | He has a cat. |
| Nosotros tenemos una clase mañana. | We have a class tomorrow. |
| Ellos tienen que leer los libros. | They have to read the books. |
| Yo tengo que salir. | I have to leave. |
| Yo tengo que hacer mi tarea. | I have to do my homework. |
| Yo voy a hacer mi tarea. | I'm going to do my homework. (compare: ir + a) |

## Notes & Gotchas
- The `yo` form is **`tengo`**, not "tieno" — memorize this irregular form.
- `tener que` (not `tener a`) for obligation. The mismatch with `ir a` is one of the most common student errors.
- `tener` expressions use **no article** before the noun: `tengo hambre`, not `tengo una hambre`.
- To intensify a `tener` expression, use **mucho/a** (an adjective) instead of *muy*: `tengo mucha hambre` ("I'm very hungry"), never `muy hambre`.
- Don't say `Yo soy 19 años` or `Yo estoy hambre` — those use ser/estar incorrectly. Spanish requires `tener` for these states.