tiene
/tyeh-neh/
Just like holding an apple, 'tiene' shows that someone has or possesses something. It's the most common way to talk about ownership.
tiene (Verb)
📝 In Action
Él tiene un perro negro.
A1He has a black dog.
La casa tiene un jardín grande.
A1The house has a big garden.
Usted tiene una llamada importante.
A2You (formal) have an important call.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
💡 Grammar Points
'Tener' is an Irregular Verb
The verb 'tener' (to have) changes its spelling in many forms. 'Tiene' has an '-ie-' change, and the 'yo' form is 'tengo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Possession vs. Existence
Mistake: "To say 'there is a book', some learners say 'Tiene un libro.'"
Correction: Use 'Hay un libro.' 'Tiene' means a specific person or thing *has* it, while 'hay' means it just exists.
⭐ Usage Tips
Having Abstract Things
You can use 'tiene' for more than just physical objects. For example, 'Ella tiene una buena idea' (She has a good idea).
In Spanish, you don't 'be' an age, you 'have' years. 'Tiene cinco años' means 'He/She is five years old.'
tiene (Verb)
📝 In Action
Mi hermano tiene veinte años.
A1My brother is twenty years old.
¿Cuántos años tiene el presidente?
A2How old is the president?
Mi gata tiene solo un año.
A1My cat is only one year old.
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'Tener' for Age, Not 'Ser'
This is a big difference from English! To say how old someone is, always use a form of 'tener' (to have), never 'ser' or 'estar' (to be).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'es' for age
Mistake: "Mi hermana es 15 años."
Correction: Say 'Mi hermana tiene 15 años.' Remember: In Spanish, you *have* your years.
⭐ Usage Tips
Don't Forget 'años'
When stating someone's age, it's most natural to include the word 'años' (years) after the number.
For many feelings and physical states, Spanish says you 'have' them. 'Tiene frío' means 'He/She is cold.'
tiene (Verb)
📝 In Action
El niño tiene hambre.
A1The boy is hungry.
Mi abuela siempre tiene frío.
A1My grandmother is always cold.
Después del partido, el jugador tiene mucha sed.
A2After the game, the player is very thirsty.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Sensations with 'Tener'
Just like with age, Spanish uses 'tener' (to have) + a noun to describe many common feelings. For example, you 'have hunger' ('tener hambre') instead of 'are hungry'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'está' for feelings
Mistake: "El niño está hambre."
Correction: Say 'El niño tiene hambre.' While 'estar' is used for many feelings (like 'está triste'), these specific physical sensations use 'tener'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Add 'Mucho' for Emphasis
To say you're very hungry, cold, etc., you can add 'mucho' or 'mucha' before the feeling. For example, 'Tiene mucho sueño' (He is very sleepy).
When you need to express an obligation, 'tiene que' is your go-to phrase. It means 'he/she has to do something.'
tiene (Verb)
📝 In Action
Ella tiene que estudiar para el examen.
A2She has to study for the exam.
El doctor tiene que trabajar mañana.
A2The doctor has to work tomorrow.
Usted tiene que firmar aquí.
A2You (formal) have to sign here.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Have To' Formula
The structure is always 'tener' + 'que' + the basic, unchanged form of the next verb (like 'hablar', 'comer', 'vivir'). Don't change the second verb!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'que'
Mistake: "Él tiene estudiar mucho."
Correction: Always include 'que' after 'tiene' when talking about obligation: 'Él tiene que estudiar mucho.'
⭐ Usage Tips
'Tener que' vs. 'Deber'
'Tener que' usually implies a stronger, more unavoidable obligation, like a rule or necessity. 'Deber' is more like a moral duty or a strong suggestion ('should').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tiene
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly says 'She is 30 years old'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'tiene' mean both 'has' and 'is'?
It's a great question! 'Tiene' itself always comes from 'tener' (to have). But Spanish uses 'tener' in special phrases where English would use 'to be'. Think of it this way: instead of *being* hungry, you *have* hunger ('tener hambre'). Instead of *being* 20 years old, you *have* 20 years ('tener 20 años'). You just have to learn these special phrases.
When do I use 'tiene' vs. 'tienes'?
'Tiene' is used for a single other person ('él' - he, 'ella' - she) or for a formal 'you' ('usted'). 'Tienes' is used when you're talking directly to one person you know well, like a friend or family member ('tú' - you, informal).
Is 'tener que' the same as 'must' in English?
It's very close! 'Tener que' is the most common way to say 'have to' or 'must' and expresses a strong need or obligation. There's another verb, 'deber,' which is also like 'must' or 'should,' but 'tener que' is often used for more external obligations, like rules or appointments.