teniendo
“teniendo” means “having” in Spanish (as part of a continuous verb phrase (e.g., I am having)).
having
Also: holding, experiencing
📝 In Action
Estamos teniendo mucha suerte en este viaje.
A1We are having a lot of luck on this trip.
Ella dijo que estaba teniendo un poco de frío.
A1She said she was feeling a little cold (literally: was having a little cold).
El director no pudo asistir porque estaba teniendo una reunión urgente.
A2The director couldn't attend because he was having an urgent meeting.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: teniendo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'teniendo' to describe an action happening right now?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *tenēre*, which meant 'to hold' or 'to keep'. This sense of possession and holding is preserved in Spanish 'tener' and 'teniendo'.
First recorded: Pre-Classical Spanish (Old Spanish) as part of the verb *tener* (10th century).
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'tengo' and 'estoy teniendo'?
'Tengo' (I have) is the simple present tense and is used for facts, permanent possessions, age, and feelings. 'Estoy teniendo' (I am having/experiencing) is the continuous tense and is only used for temporary actions that are in progress right now, like a meeting or a temporary bout of bad luck.
Can I use 'teniendo' by itself?
Rarely. 'Teniendo' is almost always attached to another verb (like *estar*, *seguir*, or *andar*) to form a continuous action. It can sometimes appear at the start of a sentence acting like 'Since I have' or 'Having done X...', but this is a more formal, literary usage.