tengo
/tenɡo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I have" is tengo.
tengo is used to indicate that the speaker possesses or owns something. Beyond physical possession, it is also used in Spanish to express physical sensations like hunger or thirst, where English would use the verb "to be" (for example, tengo hambre means "I am hungry").
Which one should you use?
While tengo is used for possession, it is distinct from hay, which is used to mean "there is" or "there are".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tengo already contains the subject "I" within its conjugation, which makes the pronoun yo optional. To create the negative form "I do not have", simply place no before the verb to get no tengo.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers use tengo to express age, as in tengo veinte años, which literally means 'I have twenty years'.
- The word tengo comes from the Latin tenere, which means 'to hold'.
- The phrase tengo que followed by another verb acts as a modal expression meaning 'I must' or 'I have to'.
Examples in context
- Tengo fe en ti.I have faith in you.This example shows how to express having faith.Tatoeba #1345062 by marcelostockle, translation #1345046 by CM
- Yo tengo un aro.I have a ring.This example shows how to express owning a ring.Tatoeba #4593930 by Francisco_M, translation #2358804 by CK
- No tengo un duro.I have no money.This example shows how to express having no money.Tatoeba #636813 by Leono, translation #433613 by CK
- Tengo una reunión importante mañanaI have an important meeting tomorrow
- Tengo mucha experiencia en este campoI have a lot of experience in this field
- Tengo ganas de ver una películaI feel like watching a movie
- Tengo una mascotaI have a pet
- Tengo un carro nuevoI have a new car
- Tengo una sorpresa para tiI have a surprise for you
- Tengo que irmeI have to go
- Tengo que estudiar para el examenI have to study for the exam
- Tengo una reunión a las 3I have a meeting at 3
- 2571 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are at home looking for keys.
- SofíaTengo las llaves en mi bolso.I have the keys in my purse.
- Alejandro¡Qué bueno! ¿Tengo yo mi cartera?Great! Do I have my wallet?
- SofíaNo, no la veo por ningún lado.No, I don't see it anywhere.
- AlejandroEspera, la tengo en el bolsillo.Wait, I have it in my pocket.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
