Tengo novio
/tenɡo nobjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have a boyfriend" is translated into Spanish as Tengo novio.
Tengo novio is a statement used to inform someone that you are in a romantic relationship with a man. If you wish to say you have a girlfriend, you would say Tengo una novia instead.
Which one should you use?
While Tengo novio implies a romantic relationship, the phrase Tengo un amigo means "I have a friend", which carries a different social context. To express that you are dating or seeing someone without specifying gender, you can use the informal expression Tengo pareja.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Tengo novio, the indefinite article un (a) is omitted. In Spanish, when expressing possession of a person in a relationship, the article is often omitted.
Did you know?
- The word novio is derived from the Latin word for 'new', which originally referred to a newlywed person.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying Tengo novio is a common social 'shield' used to politely but firmly decline unwanted advances from strangers.
- While Tengo novio usually refers to a romantic partner, novio is also the word used for a groom on his wedding day.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué no tengo novio?Why don't I have a boyfriend?This sentence is useful for asking a question about 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 shows a conversational exchange where one person announces they have a boyfriend and the other responds playfully.Tatoeba #10490906 by Shishir, translation #10490941 by DJ_Saidez
- Tengo novio.I have a boyfriend.This is a simple declarative statement.Tatoeba #3948592 by nieku, translation #3947203 by Balamax
- Sí, ando con alguien en este momento.Yes, I'm seeing someone right now.
Example conversation
Daniel is trying to ask Sofía for her phone number.
- DanielHola, Sofía. ¿Me das tu número?Hi, Sofía. Can I have your number?
- SofíaLo siento, Daniel, pero tengo novio.I'm sorry, Daniel, but I have a boyfriend.
- DanielAh, no lo sabía. No hay problema.Oh, I didn't know. No problem.
- SofíaGracias por entenderlo.Thanks for understanding.
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.
