tienes novio
/tjenes nobjo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you got a boyfriend" is translated into Spanish as tienes novio.
This phrase is used as a question to ask if a woman or girl is currently in a romantic relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb tener (to have) in the second person singular and the noun novio (boyfriend). Literally, it means "you have boyfriend".
Which one should you use?
Depending entirely on the punctuation and intonation used, tienes novio can function as both a statement ("you have a boyfriend") and a question ("do you have a boyfriend").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, one might say Estoy pololeando to mean "I am in a relationship."
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the question is formed by using rising intonation rather than adding a word like "do" as in English. To answer the question in the affirmative, you use the first person singular form of the verb tener, such as in sí, tengo novio.
How do you pronounce it?
/tjenes nobjo/
Did you know?
- The word novio comes from the Latin word for 'new', which originally referred to a 'newlywed'.
- The term novio is used in Spanish for both a boyfriend and a groom at a wedding. This means the same word describes a casual partner and a man about to exchange vows.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone your novia or novio can imply you are already engaged to be married, rather than just dating.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes novio?Have you got a boyfriend?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a boyfriend using tienes novio.Tatoeba #540334 by Shishir, translation #10716445 by sundown
- ¿Ya tienes novio?Do you have a boyfriend already?
- No sabía que tienes novio.I didn't know you have a boyfriend.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are chatting casually at a cafe.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿tienes novio?María, do you have a boyfriend?
- MaríaNo, todavía no.No, not yet.
- AlejandroQué bueno saberlo.It's good to know that.
- MaríaGracias, Alejandro.Thanks, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
