A1 Spanish grammar
Tener in the Present Tense: Forms and Basic Uses
Tener in the present tense means to have. The yo form is tengo, and most other singular and third-person forms change e to ie. Use tener for possession; use hay when you only mean that something exists.
Form tener in the present tense
Use tengo for yo. Tienes, tiene, and tienen contain ie, while tenemos and tenéis keep e.
Tengo dos hermanos.Quick check
Choose the present form: yo + tener.
Use tener for possession
Use a conjugated form of tener when a person has something: Ana tiene un coche.
Tenemos una pregunta.Distinguish tener from hay
Tener names the owner. Hay simply says that something exists or is present.
Hay una pregunta en el libro.Common mistakes
Yo tieno un coche.
Yo tengo un coche.
The irregular yo form is tengo.
Hay un coche nuevo.
Ella tiene un coche nuevo.
Use tener when the intended meaning names who owns the car.
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Tener in the present FAQ
What is the yo form of tener?
The yo form is tengo.
Which tener forms change e to ie?
Tienes, tiene, and tienen use the ie stem.
What is the difference between tener and hay?
Tener means someone has something; hay means something exists.
Where can I learn tener expressions?
The A1 lesson on tener expressions covers age, states, and tener que.