Tengo novia
/tenɡo nobja/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have a girlfriend" is translated into Spanish as Tengo novia.
While the word novia can mean both "girlfriend" and "bride", when used with the verb tener (to have), it almost always refers to a girlfriend.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular form of tener (to have) and novia (girlfriend).
Which one should you use?
To say "I have a boyfriend", you change the feminine noun novia to the masculine novio to say Tengo novio.
How does it change in a sentence?
While Tengo novia is the most natural way to state one's relationship status, adding the indefinite article una as in Tengo una novia is grammatically correct but less common when simply stating the fact of having a partner.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the term novio or novia can imply a formal engagement to be married, whereas in English 'girlfriend' usually does not.
- The word novia comes from the Latin word nova, meaning 'new'. It reflects the idea that a bride or a partner is a 'new' addition to the family.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying Tengo novia is often a way to subtly signal that you are no longer 'available' for dates or flirting in social settings.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué no tengo novia?Why don't I have a girlfriend?This sentence shows how to express the negative form of Tengo novia.Tatoeba #2246824 by Shishir, translation #2240392 by Hybrid
- Tengo novia.I have a girlfriend.This sentence is a simple statement of the phrase Tengo novia.Tatoeba #9736886 by Shishir, translation #1969242 by CK
- "Tal vez no sea rico, pero al menos tengo novia", dijo Tom."I may not be rich, but at least I have a girlfriend," said Tom.This sentence shows Tengo novia used within a larger sentence.Tatoeba #1526206 by marcelostockle, translation #1526169 by Spamster
- Conocí a una piba y ahora somos novios.I met a girl, and now we are boyfriend and girlfriend.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their relationship status.
- MateoYa no estoy soltero, ahora tengo novia.I'm not single anymore, now I have a girlfriend.
- María¡Qué bien! ¿Cómo se llama ella?That's great! What is her name?
- MateoSe llama Lucía y es muy amable.Her name is Lucía and she is very kind.
- MaríaMe alegro mucho por ti, Mateo.I'm very happy for you, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
