tenerla
/te-ner-la/
to have it
Illustrating 'to have it' (referring to a feminine noun, like the key).
tenerla(verb)
to have it
?referring to a feminine noun (e.g., the key, the answer)
,to hold her
?referring to a female person or animal
to possess it
?literal possession
📝 In Action
¿Puedes ir a la tienda? Necesito tenerla lista para mañana.
A2Can you go to the store? I need to have it ready for tomorrow. (Referring to 'la cena' - the dinner)
Si vas a ver la bicicleta, debes tenerla en la mano para sentir el peso.
B1If you are going to look at the bicycle, you must hold it in your hand to feel the weight.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'La' Attachment Rule
When using the base verb form (infinitive), the 'it' or 'her' word ('la') is attached directly to the end, forming one word: tenerla. This also happens with the '-ing' form (teniéndola) and positive commands (tenla).
Pronoun Placement Flexibility
You can always choose to separate 'la' and place it before the conjugated verb instead: Quiero tenerla or La quiero tener (I want to have it).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: "Teniendola"
Correction: Teniéndola. When you attach a pronoun to the '-ing' form, you usually need an accent mark to keep the original stress pattern.
Illustrating 'to have the knack' or natural talent.
tenerla(verb)
to have the knack
?to have the talent or intuition
,to have it
?to possess the necessary skill/touch
to be gifted
?describing natural ability
📝 In Action
No sé cómo lo hace, pero él tiene la para convencer a la gente.
B1I don't know how he does it, but he has the knack (literally, 'he has it') for convincing people.
Para cocinar paella de verdad, tienes que tenerla.
B2To cook real paella, you have to have the touch/knack.
💡 Grammar Points
Implied Noun
In this idiomatic usage, the 'la' usually refers to an unspoken feminine noun like la habilidad (the ability), la intuición (the intuition), or la maña (the knack).
Illustrating 'to be in a tough spot' or facing a difficult situation.
tenerla(verb)
to be in a tough spot
?to face a difficult situation
,to have it bad
?to be struggling
📝 In Action
Si suspende el examen otra vez, la tiene. Su padre estará muy enfadado.
B2If he fails the exam again, he's in trouble (literally, 'he has it'). His father will be very angry.
Hemos perdido las llaves y el coche. ¡Ahora sí que la tenemos!
C1We lost the keys and the car. Now we really are in a predicament!
💡 Grammar Points
Implied Trouble
Here, 'la' often refers to an implied feminine noun like la situación difícil (the difficult situation) or la bronca (the scolding/trouble). It's a quick way to say 'we're screwed'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tenerla
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the idiomatic meaning of 'tenerla' (to have the knack)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'la' attached to 'tener' in this word?
In Spanish, when you use a verb in its base form (the infinitive, like 'tener') or the '-ing' form (the gerund, like 'teniendo'), the small words that receive the action (like 'la', 'lo', 'me', 'te') stick right onto the end of the verb.
What happens if the thing I have is masculine, like 'el libro'?
If the thing you have is masculine, you use the pronoun 'lo' instead of 'la'. The word would become 'tenerlo' (to have it, masculine).