¿tienes un lápiz?
To say "do you have a pencil?" in Spanish, use ¿tienes un lápiz? (informal) or ¿Tiene usted un lápiz? (formal).
This phrase is used to ask if someone possesses a pencil to use or lend.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tienes is the second-person singular conjugation of the verb tener (to have).
Which one should you use?
The phrase ¿tienes un lápiz? is the informal version, while ¿Tiene usted un lápiz? is the formal version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the word lapicero may be used instead of lápiz to refer to a pencil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form ¿tienes un lápiz? uses the informal tú conjugation. When being formal, you may use ¿Tiene usted un lápiz? or simply ¿tiene un lápiz?
Did you know?
- The word lápiz is actually a linguistic descendant of the word for 'stone', coming from the Latin lapis. It is a distant relative of the English words 'lapidary' and the gemstone 'lapis lazuli'.
- Spanish uses a unique inverted question mark ¿ at the start of the phrase to alert the reader to a rising intonation before they reach the end.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, lapicero refers to a ballpoint pen rather than a pencil.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, señor. ¿Tiene usted un lápiz?Excuse me, sir. Do you have a pencil?
- Buenas tardes, señora. ¿Tiene usted un lápiz que me pueda prestar?Good afternoon, madam. Do you have a pencil I could borrow?
- Oye, ¿tienes un lápiz?Hey, do you have a pencil?
Example conversation
María and Mateo are in a classroom during a study session.
- MaríaMateo, ¿tienes un lápiz?Mateo, do you have a pencil?
- MateoSí, tengo uno aquí.Yes, I have one here.
- MaríaGracias, lo necesito para el examen.Thanks, I need it for the exam.
- MateoDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lápiz, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
