How to Conjugate the Verb ‘Tener’ in Spanish: [Beginner’s Guide]

Did you know the verb "tener" is one of the most useful verbs in Spanish? It’s everywhere! You use it to talk about what you have, how old you are, how you feel, and even what you need to do. But here’s the thing: ‘tener’ doesn’t always follow the rules, which can make it tricky to learn.

As a native Spanish speaker, I know how important it is to master the conjugation of verbs like “tener” and how confusing it can seem at first. The good news? With a little guidance, you can master it faster than you think.

In this article, we’ll break the verb ‘tener’ down step by step. You’ll learn how to conjugate it in different tenses, see examples to help it all make sense, and get a handy chart for easy reference. I’ll also share tips I use with my students to make tener simple and fun to learn.

What Is The Meaning And Use Of The Verb “Tener” In Spanish?

The verb “tener” is one of the most important and frequently used verbs in Spanish. It means “to have,” but its uses go far beyond just showing possession. Think of ‘tener’ as a tool you’ll use daily, whether you’re talking about owning something, expressing your age, or even describing feelings or obligations.

Let’s break it down.

In its simplest form, “tener” is used just like the English verb “to have.” For example:

• Yo tengo un perro (I have a dog).
• Nosotros tenemos una casa grande (We have a big house).

However, there are some instances where it might get a little confusing for English speakers. For example, in Spanish, you don’t say, “I am 20 years old.” Instead, you say, “Tengo 20 años,” which literally translates to “I have 20 years.” The same goes for feelings and physical states like hunger or thirst:

• Tengo hambre (I am hungry).
• ¿Tienes sed? (Are you thirsty?).

And don’t forget expressions of obligation! When you pair “tener” with “que” and another verb, it means “to have to” do something:

• Tengo que estudiar (I have to study).
• Ellos tienen que trabajar mañana (They have to work tomorrow).

As you can see, “tener” is incredibly versatile, and learning how to use it correctly will unlock many conversational possibilities in Spanish. It’s not just about saying what you “have”—it’s about talking about what you feel, need, and must do.  

The Basic Conjugation Of "Tener" In The Present Tense

Let’s start with the basics. The present tense is where most Spanish learners first come across the verb "tener," which means “to have.” It’s a super versatile verb—you’ll use it to talk about possessions, age, obligations, and even feelings. Think of it as one of your go-to tools for everyday conversations in Spanish.

But here’s the catch: "Tener" is irregular. That means it doesn’t follow the usual patterns for conjugating verbs. Don’t worry, though! Once you learn the pattern, it’s easy to recognize and use.

Here’s how "tener" looks in the present tense:

Conjugating "Tener" In The Preterite Tense

The preterite tense in Spanish is like a storyteller’s best friend—it’s used to talk about actions that happened in the past and are now complete. When it comes to the verb "tener," the preterite tense comes in handy for moments when you want to say, “I had,” “you had,” or even “we had.” But here's the twist: "tener" is an irregular verb in the preterite tense, so it doesn’t follow the usual patterns you might expect. Don’t worry, though—once you see it laid out, everything will make sense!

The Preterite Conjugation Of "Tener"

What Makes "Tener" Irregular?

In the preterite tense, "tener" gets a complete makeover. Notice how the stem changes from "ten-" to "tuv-"? That’s the irregular part. Then, instead of regular endings, it uses a unique set of endings common to other irregular verbs in the preterite (like "estar" and "andar").

Examples:

Seeing "tener" in sentences can help you understand how it works in real life. Here are a few examples:

-Yo tuve un día increíble ayer. ( I had an amazing day yesterday.)

-¿Tú tuviste tiempo para estudiar? (Did you have time to study?)

-Ellos tuvieron que salir temprano. (They had to leave early.)

Conjugating "Tener" In Other Common Tenses

Now that we've tackled the present and preterite tenses let’s dive into some other tenses that you’ll frequently encounter in Spanish. Don’t worry if they feel tricky at first—practice makes perfect, and we’ll guide you every step of the way!

Imperfect Tense: Talking About the Past (But Gently)

The imperfect tense is perfect for describing things that used to happen or setting the scene in the past. For example, "When I was a kid, I used to have a dog."

Here’s how to conjugate "tener" in the imperfect:

Future Tense: Talking About What Will Be

Want to say what you ‘will have’ someday? The future tense is the way to do so. This tense is straightforward because it doesn’t require stem changes—just add the endings to the infinitive form of "tener." Let’s see how it works:

Example:

-Mañana tendremos más tiempo. (Tomorrow, we will have more time.)

Conditional Tense: Talking About Possibilities

The conditional tense is your go-to when you want to say what you ‘would have’ in certain situations. This tense is handy for hypothetical scenarios or polite requests.

Here’s how "tener" looks in the conditional:

Example:
-Si tuviera más dinero, tendría una casa grande. (If I had more money, I would have a big house.)

How To Conjugate "Tener" In Reflexive And Imperative Forms

When you’re learning to conjugate the verb "tener," you shouldn’t just use it in regular sentences. There are some special ways "tener" can appear, like in the reflexive form or when you’re giving commands (the imperative form). Let’s take a closer look at these two scenarios.

Reflexive Form Of "Tener"

First, what exactly is a reflexive verb? In Spanish, reflexive verbs are those where the subject does the action to themselves. For example, if someone says, "I’m brushing my teeth," the action of brushing is directed at the speaker themselves. Reflexive verbs are typically paired with reflexive pronouns like "me," "te," or "se."

Now, "tener" is not often reflexive, but it can be used in certain contexts where the action is directed at oneself. A common expression using reflexive "tener" is "tenerse," which can mean something like “to hold oneself” or "to stop oneself" in specific phrases.

Examples:

-Me tengo que ir – (I have to leave.)

-Tienes que cuidarte – (You need to take care of yourself.)

Notice how the reflexive pronoun (me, te) comes before the verb in these examples. Even though "tener" itself isn’t usually reflexive in its meaning, the way it’s used with reflexive pronouns can change the focus or add extra meaning.

Imperative Form Of "Tener"

Now, let’s talk about how to use "tener" in the imperative form. The imperative is used when you're giving orders, making requests, or offering suggestions. This is where "tener" can sound a bit more direct!

For example, if you want to tell someone to "have patience," you’d use the verb "tener" in its imperative form:

-Ten paciencia. – (Have patience.)

Here’s how to conjugate "tener" in the imperative:

• Tú (informal singular): "Ten" (used when talking to a friend or someone you know well)
• Usted (formal singular): "Tenga" (used to show respect or when speaking to someone formally)
• Nosotros (we): "Tengamos" (used when you’re including yourself in the command, like “Let’s have...”)
• Vosotros (plural, used in Spain): "Tened" (used when talking to a group of people).
• Ustedes (plural, used in Latin America): "Tengan" (used when speaking to a group of people).

Here are some examples to show you how it works:

• "Ten cuidado" – "Be careful."
• "Tenga paciencia" – "Have patience."
• "Tengamos fe" – "Let’s have faith."
• "Tened cuidado" – "Be careful."
• "Tengan un buen día" – "Have a good day."

As you can see, the imperative form of "tener" can be pretty flexible, helping you give different kinds of directions or advice!

Quick recap:

-Reflexive forms of "tener" aren’t used often, but when they are, they focus on doing something to or for oneself (like "me tengo que ir" – "I have to leave").

- The imperative form of "tener" is used when you want to tell someone to do something. It's especially useful for giving commands or making polite suggestions.

Learn To Use Spanish Verbs With Lingopie

Congratulations! You’ve just taken an in-depth look at conjugating one of the most important verbs in Spanish: "tener." From the present tense to the preterite and even the reflexive and imperative forms, you now have a solid foundation to use "tener" confidently in all kinds of conversations.

But let’s face it—conjugation can feel overwhelming at times. The best way to truly understand and remember all these forms is to see them in action. That’s where Lingopie comes in. It is an amazing resource for learning Spanish through real-world content like TV shows, movies, and more. You can watch native speakers using verbs like "tener" in context, making it easier to connect what you’ve learned to how the language is actually spoken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning a new verb like "tener" can come with plenty of questions, especially when it’s as versatile as this one. Here are answers to a few common queries to help you better understand how to use "tener" in different contexts.

1. How Do You Use Tener In Idiomatic Expressions?

"Tener" is used in many Spanish idiomatic expressions that don’t translate literally into English. For example, "tener hambre" means "to be hungry," and "tener prisa" means "to be in a hurry." These expressions show how "tener" can convey states or feelings, so it’s worth memorizing some of the most common ones.

2. What Are Some Common Mistakes With Tener Conjugation?

A common mistake is forgetting that "tener" is irregular, so its stem changes in certain forms (e.g., "tengo," "tuvimos"). Another is confusing "tener" with "haber" when talking about possession versus existence. Make sure you use the correct verb according to the context of the sentence!

3. Can Tener Be Used In The Subjunctive Form?

Yes! "Tener" is often used in the subjunctive mood to express desires, doubts, or hypothetical situations. For example, "Espero que tengas un buen día" means "I hope you have a good day." The subjunctive conjugations of "tener" are essential for more advanced Spanish communication.