tengo dos perros
/tenɡo dos peros/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I have two dogs" is expressed in Spanish as tengo dos perros.
This phrase is used to state that the speaker owns or cares for two dogs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tengo (I have), the number dos (two) and the noun perros (dogs).
Which one should you use?
You might use Tengo un par de perros to say "I have a couple of dogs" in an informal context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial expression Tengo dos chuchos can be used to say "I have two dogs".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tengo is the first-person singular present indicative form of tener (to have). The noun perros is plural to agree with the number dos.
Did you know?
- While perro means 'dog', using the word perra for a female dog can be a strong insult when applied to a person. The gender shift completely changes the phrase from a description of a pet to a vulgarity.
- In Spanish, the verb tener is used for things that English describes as states of being. For example, instead of saying 'I am hungry', a speaker says tengo hambre, which literally translates to 'I have hunger'.
- The Spanish word dos shares the same ancient root as the English word 'two', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European term *dwóh₁.
Examples in context
- Tengo dos perros, tres gatos y seis pollos.I have two dogs, three cats, and six chickens.This sentence is useful for listing multiple types of animals using tengo dos perros.Tatoeba #1279392 by Shishir, translation #3940433 by AlanF_US
- Tengo dos perros. Uno es blanco y el otro negro.I have two dogs. One is white and the other black.This sentence uses tengo dos perros to provide additional details about the dogs' colors.Tatoeba #520869 by Shishir, translation #72776 by CK
- Tengo dos perros.I have two dogs.This is a simple statement using tengo dos perros.Tatoeba #10072723 by Shishir, translation #10073475 by espamatics
- Tengo dos perrosI have two male dogs
- Tengo dos perrasI have two female dogs
- Tengo un par de perros pequeñosI have a couple of small dogs
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about their pets at a park.
- SofíaTengo dos perros y son muy juguetones.I have two dogs and they are very playful.
- Mateo¿De verdad? Yo solo tengo un gato.Really? I only have one cat.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Los animales son geniales.That's great! Animals are wonderful.
- MateoSí, me encantan los animales.Yes, I love animals.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
