Spanish · Common Verbs
Tener
To have
Beginnerverb
Definition
To possess or own something.
Example
Tengo hambre y sed.
I am hungry and thirsty.
Etymology
'Tener' is derived from the Latin 'tenere,' which means 'to hold' or 'to keep.' Through historical linguistic evolution, it transformed into the Spanish verb that indicates possession.
How & Where It’s Used
'Tener' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts across spoken and written Spanish. It appears universally across different regional dialects.