tenemos
/tenemos/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "we have" is tenemos.
tenemos is used to indicate that the speaker and one or more other people possess or hold something. For a more formal way to express that you have something or that you count on something, you can use contamos con. Alternatively, you can use disponemos de interchangeably with contamos con when expressing possession.
What does it mean word for word?
tenemos is the first-person plural present indicative form of the verb tener, which means "to have".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the subject pronoun nosotros (we) is often omitted when using tenemos because the verb ending -emos already identifies the subject as "we".
How do you pronounce it?
/tenemos/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can say tenemos to express being hungry, thirsty, or cold, even though English uses the verb 'to be' for these sensations. While an English speaker 'is' hungry, a Spanish speaker 'has' hunger.
- The word tenemos is related to the English word 'tenure', as both derive from the Latin 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'.
- Spanish speakers use tenemos que to express a necessity or obligation, which functions like 'we must' rather than just stating possession.
Examples in context
- Tenemos algo de agua.We have a little water.This sentence shows how to use tenemos to express having a small amount of something.Tatoeba #5566170 by swyter, translation #5513516 by CK
- Hoy no tenemos clase.We have no class today.This sentence uses tenemos to indicate the absence of a scheduled class.Tatoeba #9013124 by Shishir, translation #8350092 by lucasmg123
- Tenemos algo en común.We have something in common.This sentence uses tenemos to describe a shared quality.Tatoeba #1248393 by Shishir, translation #2064769 by CK
- Tenemos una casa grande.We have a big house.
- Contamos con un equipo de expertos.We have a team of experts.
- Tenemos disponible una habitación para ti.We have a room available for you.
- Contamos con su apoyo en este proyecto.We have your support in this project.
- 721 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are checking their supplies at home.
- Mateo¿Tenemos leche en la nevera?Do we have milk in the fridge?
- MaríaSí, tenemos mucha leche.Yes, we have plenty of milk.
- MateoPerfecto, no tenemos que ir al súper.Perfect, we don't have to go to the supermarket.
- MaríaMenos mal, estoy muy cansada.Thank goodness, I am very tired.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
