To Have and To Have to in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

The Spanish language offers two essential expressions that convey the ideas of possession and obligation: “tener” and “tener que.” 

These phrases are commonly used in everyday conversations and play a crucial role in expressing ownership and stating obligations. 

In this article, we will explore the various uses of “tener” and “tener que” and provide examples to enhance your understanding.

Tener: To Own and Possess Something

The verb “tener” in Spanish translates to “to have” or “to possess” in English. It is used to indicate ownership or possession of objects, qualities, or characteristics. 

Let’s take a look at the conjugation of “tener” with different subject pronouns:

• Yo (I) tengo
• Tú (You) tienes
• Él/Ella/Usted (He/She/You-formal) tiene
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes (They/You-all) tienen
• Nosotros/Nosotras (We) tenemos

Here are some examples that illustrate the use of “tener” to express ownership:

• Yo tengo un carro rojo. (I have a red car.)
• Ella tiene un novio guapo. (She has a handsome boyfriend.)
• Sara tiene muchos amigos en la escuela. (Sara has many friends at school.)
• Yo tengo clase de español todos los días. (I have Spanish class every day.)
• ¿Tienes las llaves de la casa? (Do you have the keys to the house?)
• Luis y Juan no tienen amigos en las clases de matemáticas. (Luis and Juan don’t have friends in math class.)
• Nosotras tenemos una fiesta en la noche. (We have a party tonight.)
• Los niños tienen los libros de la escuela. (The children have the school books.)
• Ellos tienen dos perros grandes y un gato pequeño. (They have two big dogs and a small cat.)
• ¿Tienen hambre? Yo tengo hambre y sed. (Are you hungry? I am hungry and thirsty.)

Tener Expressions: Describing Physical and Emotional States

Apart from expressing ownership, the verb “tener” is also used to describe physical and emotional states. These expressions are fixed phrases in Spanish. 

Let’s explore some common examples:

Tener frío: To be cold

• Yo tengo frío. (I am cold.)
• Tú tienes frío. (You are cold.)
• Él tiene frío. (He is cold.)
• Nosotros tenemos frío. (We are cold.)
• Ellos tienen frío. (They are cold.)

Tener calor: To be hot

• Yo tengo calor. (I am hot.)
• Tú tienes calor…

Here are some more examples of the use of tener:

• Tener miedo: To be afraid
• Tener hambre: To be hungry
• Tener sed: To be thirsty
• Tener prisa: To be in a rush
• Tener sueño: To be sleepy
• Tener razón: To be right

Tener Que: Expressing Obligation to Do Something

In Spanish, “tener que” is used to express obligation or necessity. It is followed by a verb in its infinitive form.

Here are some examples that illustrate the use of “tener que” to express obligations:

• Los niños tienen que limpiar su cuarto. (The children have to clean their room.)
• Yo tengo que viajar mañana a España. (I have to travel to Spain tomorrow.)
• Yo tengo que estudiar español temprano. (I have to study Spanish early.)
• Ella tiene que caminar al parque todos los días. (She has to walk to the park every day.)
• Laura tiene que cocinar la pizza para la cena. (Laura has to cook the pizza for dinner.)
• Ana y Juan tienen que viajar a Madrid mañana. (Ana and Juan have to travel to Madrid tomorrow.)
• La cocina está sucia, Luis tiene que lavar los platos. (The kitchen is dirty, Luis has to wash the dishes.)
• Sofía y yo tenemos que salir a las 8 am. (Sofía and I have to leave at 8 am.)
• Nosotros tenemos que ir a la clase de español en la universidad. (We have to go to the Spanish class at the university.)
• Ellas están en la fiesta y tienen que comer la torta de chocolate ahora. (They are at the party and have to eat the chocolate cake now.)

Mastering the use of “tener” and “tener que” is essential for expressing ownership and obligations in Spanish.
By understanding the conjugation and context of these expressions, you can effectively communicate your possession of items and state your responsibilities.

Practice with the exercises provided to further enhance your skills, and you’ll soon find yourself confidently using “tener” and “tener que” in various situations. 

¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Check out our series of Complete Spanish Grammar articles – everything you’ll ever need to know about Spanish grammar.

Or, learn more about LingoToGo here.

(One Week Free only available to students in the Americas and Europe. If you’re outside these regions, check out our offers here.)

Practice Exercises

Now, let’s practice with some exercises to reinforce your understanding of “tener” and “tener que.”

Exercise 1: Tener – To Own/To Possess

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of “tener“:

1. Yo __________ un carro rojo. (I have a red car.)
2. Ella __________ un novio guapo. (She has a handsome boyfriend.)
3. Sara __________ muchos amigos en la escuela. (Sara has many friends at school.)
4. Yo __________ clase de español todos los días. (I have Spanish class every day.)
5. ¿Tienes las llaves de la casa? (Do you have the keys to the house?)
6. Luis y Juan no __________ amigos en las clases de matemáticas. (Luis and Juan don’t have friends in math class.)
7. Nosotras __________ una fiesta en la noche. (We have a party tonight.)
8. Los niños __________ los libros de la escuela. (The children have the school books.)
9. Ellos __________ dos perros grandes y un gato pequeño. (They have two big dogs and a small cat.)
10. ¿__________ hambre? Yo tengo hambre y sed. (Are you hungry? I am hungry and thirsty.)

Tener Que – Obligation to Do Something

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of “tener que”:

1. Yo __________ viajar mañana a España. (I have to travel to Spain tomorrow.)
2. Yo __________ estudiar español temprano. (I have to study Spanish early.)
3. Ella __________ caminar al parque todos los días. (She has to walk to the park every day.)
4. Laura __________ cocinar la pizza para la cena. (Laura has to cook the pizza for dinner.)
5. Ana y Juan __________ viajar a Madrid mañana. (Ana and Juan have to travel to Madrid tomorrow.)
6. La cocina está sucia, Luis __________ lavar los platos. (The kitchen is dirty, Luis has to wash the dishes.)
7. Los niños __________ limpiar su cuarto. (The children have to clean their room.)
8. Sofía y yo __________ salir a las 8 am. (Sofía and I have to leave at 8 am.)
9. Nosotros __________ ir a la clase de español en la universidad. (We have to go to the Spanish class at the university.)
10. Ellas están en la fiesta y __________ comer la torta de chocolate ahora. (They are at the party and have to eat the chocolate cake now.)

Check out our series of Complete Spanish Grammar articles – everything you’ll ever need to know about Spanish grammar.

Or, learn more about LingoToGo here.

(One Week Free only available to students in the Americas and Europe. If you’re outside these regions, check out our offers here.)