tengas

/ten-gas/

you have

A joyful young character happily holding a large, brightly wrapped present, symbolizing having or receiving something positive.

This illustration shows the meaning of 'you have' when expressing a hope or wish, as in 'I hope you have a good day.'

tengas(Verb)

A2irregular er

you have

used after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion, etc.

Also:

you are

for age or states like 'be hungry/afraid'

📝 In Action

Espero que tengas un buen día.

I hope you have a good day.

Dudo que tengas la respuesta correcta.

I doubt you have the right answer.

Avísame cuando tengas noticias.

Let me know when you have news.

Me alegro de que tengas un nuevo trabajo.

I'm happy that you have a new job.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

que tengas suerte – good luck (to you)
que tengas un buen viaje – have a good trip
que tengas dulces sueños – sweet dreams

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Wishing and Doubting' Verb Form

'Tengas' is a special form of 'tener' (to have) used after words that express wishes, doubts, emotions, or recommendations. Think of it as the 'not-a-fact-yet' form. For example, 'Espero que tengas...' (I hope that you have...).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Tienes' Instead of 'Tengas'

Mistake: "Espero que tienes un buen día."

Correction: Espero que tengas un buen día. After a 'wishing' word like 'espero que', Spanish requires this special '-as' ending for 'tú' (you).

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with 'Cuando' for the Future

When talking about a future action or event that hasn't happened yet, use 'tengas' after 'cuando' (when). Example: 'Llámame cuando tengas tiempo' (Call me when you have time).

A person looking worried, being gently comforted by a supportive hand placed on their shoulder, illustrating the negative command 'don't be' or 'don't have'.

This image represents the negative command 'no tengas' (don't have/don't be), visualizing the phrase 'No tengas miedo' (Don't be afraid) through gentle reassurance.

tengas(Verb)

A2irregular er

don't have

as a command

Also:

don't be

for commands like 'don't be afraid/hungry'

📝 In Action

No tengas miedo, el perro no muerde.

Don't be afraid, the dog doesn't bite.

No tengas prisa, tenemos mucho tiempo.

Don't be in a hurry, we have a lot of time.

Por favor, no tengas los pies sobre la mesa.

Please, don't have your feet on the table.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

no tengas cuidado – don't worry / never mind
no tengas duda – have no doubt

💡 Grammar Points

Making Negative Commands for 'Tú'

To tell a friend ('tú') NOT to do something, you use 'no' plus this special verb form. For 'tener', it's 'no tengas'. Notice it's the same form used for wishes and doubts!

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Wrong Command Form

Mistake: "No ten cuidado."

Correction: No tengas cuidado. For negative commands with 'tú', you can't use the short form ('ten'). You must use the longer 'tengas' form.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

yotengo

tútienes

él/ella/ustedtiene

nosotrostenemos

vosotrostenéis

ellos/ellas/ustedestienen

preterite

yotuve

tútuviste

él/ella/ustedtuvo

nosotrostuvimos

vosotrostuvisteis

ellos/ellas/ustedestuvieron

imperfect

yotenía

tútenías

él/ella/ustedtenía

nosotrosteníamos

vosotrosteníais

ellos/ellas/ustedestenían

subjunctive

present

yotenga

tútengas

él/ella/ustedtenga

nosotrostengamos

vosotrostengáis

ellos/ellas/ustedestengan

imperfect

yotuviera

tútuvieras

él/ella/ustedtuviera

nosotrostuviéramos

vosotrostuvierais

ellos/ellas/ustedestuvieran

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tengas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'tengas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

tener(to have) - verb

tenencia(possession, ownership) - noun

sostener(to hold, to sustain) - verb

mantener(to maintain) - verb

obtener(to obtain, to get) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to use 'tengas' in 'Espero que tengas...' instead of 'tienes'?

Great question! In Spanish, when you express a wish, doubt, or command for someone else, the verb that follows changes into a special form called the subjunctive. 'Tengas' is that special form for 'tú' (you). It signals that you're talking about something that isn't a sure-fire fact, but rather a hope or a possibility.

Is 'tengas' formal or informal?

'Tengas' is the informal 'you' form, used when talking to a friend, family member, or someone you'd call 'tú'. For a formal situation (someone you'd call 'usted'), you would use 'tenga'.