tengamos
/ten-'gah-mos/
that we have
We use "tengamos" to express the desire "that we have" (possession or quality).
tengamos(Verb)
that we have
?expressing desire or doubt about possession
,that we feel
?expressing state or sensation (hunger, cold, fear)
whether we have
?in doubtful constructions
📝 In Action
Es crucial que tengamos un plan de respaldo.
B1It is crucial that we have a backup plan.
Mi madre quiere que tengamos paciencia.
A2My mother wants us to have patience.
No creo que tengamos suficiente dinero para el viaje.
B1I don't think we have enough money for the trip.
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Trigger
This 'tengamos' form is used when the main part of the sentence expresses an opinion, wish, doubt, or demand (like 'Es importante que...' or 'Quiero que...').
'Nosotros' Form
This specific ending ('-mos') always means the action is being done by 'we' (nosotros/as).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: "Using 'Espero que tenemos' (I hope we have)"
Correction: You must use the special subjunctive form: 'Espero que tengamos'. The rule is: desire/doubt + 'que' + different subject requires the subjunctive.
⭐ Usage Tips
Key Irregularity
The stem of 'tener' changes from 'ten-' to 'teng-' in the subjunctive mood. Remember: 'yo tengo' leads to 'que yo tenga,' and 'que nosotros tengamos'.
When proposing a shared activity, "tengamos" translates to "Let's have" (a party, a meeting, etc.).
tengamos(Verb)
Let's have
?used to propose an activity or gathering
,Let's hold
?used for meetings or events
We should have
?implying a strong suggestion
📝 In Action
¡Tengamos una reunión mañana!
A2Let's have a meeting tomorrow!
No tengamos miedo de preguntar.
B1Let's not be afraid to ask.
Tengamos fe en que todo saldrá bien.
B2Let's have faith that everything will turn out well.
💡 Grammar Points
Imperative for 'We'
When you want to say 'Let's...' in Spanish, you use the 'nosotros' form of the Present Subjunctive. This is how 'tengamos' works as a suggestion or command.
Negative Commands
The negative command ('Don't let's...') also uses 'tengamos': 'No tengamos prisa' (Let's not hurry).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Infinitive
Mistake: "Saying 'Vamos a tener una fiesta' to mean 'Let's have a party' (while correct, it's less direct than the imperative 'Tengamos')."
Correction: If you want a direct 'Let's have' suggestion, use 'Tengamos'. If you use 'Vamos a tener', it sounds more like 'We are going to have'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Suggestion Tone
Using 'Tengamos' is a polite and common way to propose an action or a shared attitude among a group.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tengamos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'tengamos' to express a suggestion?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'tengamos' so different from 'tenemos'?
'Tenemos' is the simple present 'we have' (Indicative mood), used for facts. 'Tengamos' is the 'we' form in the Subjunctive mood, used for wishes, doubts, emotions, or suggestions ('Let's have'). They come from the same verb but serve very different functional roles in a sentence.
When should I use 'Tengamos' instead of 'Vamos a tener'?
Use 'Tengamos' when you want to make a direct suggestion or proposal to the group ('Let's have a party!'). Use 'Vamos a tener' when you are describing a future action ('We are going to have a party').