Tengo novio
/tenɡo nobjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have a boyfriend" is translated into Spanish as Tengo novio.
For a more colloquial way to say "I'm with someone", you can use Ando con alguien.
Which one should you use?
In English, the article "a" is required, but in Spanish, it is common to omit the indefinite article when talking about having a boyfriend or girlfriend.
How does it change in a sentence?
While Tengo novio is the most common way to say this, adding the indefinite article un to say Tengo un novio is also grammatically correct. Doing so emphasizes the existence of one specific boyfriend.
Did you know?
- The word novio is used for both a boyfriend and a groom. If you are at a wedding, you will hear people referring to the groom as the novio of the bride.
- Because novio comes from the Latin 'novus', meaning 'new', the word literally carries the concept of being 'newly' wedded or in a new relationship.
- In Spain, a person might say estoy saliendo con alguien to describe the early dating phase before they feel comfortable using the label novio.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué no tengo novio?Why don't I have a boyfriend?This example shows how to use the phrase in a question regarding why one does not have a boyfriend.Tatoeba #2382999 by diegohn, translation #2240391 by Hybrid
- «Ya tengo novio.» «¿Quién es el afortunado?»"I have a boyfriend now." "Who's the lucky guy?"This example demonstrates a short dialogue where one person announces they have a boyfriend and another asks who the lucky guy is.Tatoeba #10490906 by Shishir, translation #10490941 by DJ_Saidez
- Tengo novio.I have a boyfriend.This example is a simple declarative statement of the phrase.Tatoeba #3948592 by nieku, translation #3947203 by Balamax
- Sí, tengo novio, pero soy muy afortunadaYes, I have a boyfriend, but I'm very lucky
Example conversation
Javier is trying to ask María out on a date at a cafe.
- MaríaLo siento, Javier, pero tengo novio.I am sorry, Javier, but I have a boyfriend.
- Javier¿De verdad? No lo sabía.Really? I didn't know that.
- MaríaÉl es muy amable conmigo.He is very kind to me.
- JavierEntiendo, no te molesto más.I understand, I won't bother you anymore.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
