Tengo un gato
/tenɡo un ɡato/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have a cat" is translated into Spanish as Tengo un gato.
This phrase is used to state that one owns or is the caretaker of a cat.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Tengo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb tener, meaning "I have".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the subject pronoun yo (I) is often omitted because the verb conjugation tengo already indicates the first-person singular. If the cat is female, the noun 'gato' changes to 'gata' and the article 'un' changes to 'una'. To say 'I have cats' (plural), the article 'un' is dropped and the noun 'gato' is changed to 'gatos'.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo un ɡato/
Did you know?
- The verb tener used in Tengo un gato is also used to express physical or mental states that English describes with 'to be', such as Tengo hambre for 'I am hungry'.
- In Spain, gato is used to refer to a person born in Madrid, specifically those born within the city walls.
- The word gato is used in many Spanish-speaking countries to refer to the mechanical 'jack' used to lift a car during a tire change.
Examples in context
- Tengo un gato y un perro.I have a cat and a dog.This example is useful for showing how to list multiple pets.Tatoeba #454990 by Shishir, translation #28971 by CK
- Él no sabe que yo tengo un gato.He doesn't know that I have a cat.This example shows how to use the phrase within a larger sentence structure.Tatoeba #1580367 by marcelostockle, translation #1580139 by fanty
- Tengo un gato.I have a cat.This is a simple example of the phrase used on its own.Tatoeba #4587632 by cueyayotl, translation #2399188 by amazighgirl
- Tengo un gato blanco y negro.I have a black and white cat.
- Tengo un gato muy cariñoso.I have a very affectionate cat.
- Tengo un gato de pelaje largo.I have a long-haired cat.
- Tengo un gato que es mi mejor amigo.I have a cat who is my best friend.
- Tengo un gato muy juguetón y travieso.I have a very playful and mischievous cat.
- Tengo un gato que siempre me despierta temprano.I have a cat that always wakes me up early.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about their pets.
- SofíaYo tengo un gato blanco.I have a white cat.
- Daniel¿Cómo se llama tu gato?What is your cat's name?
- SofíaSe llama Luna.Her name is Luna.
- DanielQué lindo nombre.What a cute name.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
