tuvieron
“tuvieron” means “they had” in Spanish (possession or obligation).
they had, you all hadAlso: they experienced, they received
📝 In Action
Ellos tuvieron mucha suerte en el sorteo.
A1They had a lot of luck in the raffle.
Ustedes tuvieron que esperar dos horas.
A2You all had to wait two hours.
Mis padres tuvieron un coche rojo cuando eran jóvenes.
A1My parents had a red car when they were young.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "tuvieron" in Spanish:
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tuvieron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'tuvieron' to describe a single, finished event?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The verb 'tener' comes from the Latin word *tenēre*, meaning 'to hold' or 'to grasp.' Over time, its meaning broadened in Spanish to primarily mean 'to possess' or 'to have.' The 'tuv-' stem in the past tense is a classic example of how Latin verbs changed their internal structure as they evolved into Spanish.
First recorded: Before the 10th century (Old Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tuvieron' used for 'they had' or 'you all had'?
It is used for both! It translates to 'they had' (ellos/ellas) and the formal 'you all had' (ustedes). The context usually makes it clear who you are referring to.
How do I know when to use 'tuvieron' (Preterite) versus 'tenían' (Imperfect)?
'Tuvieron' (Preterite) is for actions that started and finished at a specific point in the past (e.g., 'They had a party'). 'Tenían' (Imperfect) is for descriptions, ongoing states, or repeated habits in the past (e.g., 'They had long hair').