The word "tener" is a verb.
/tɛˈneɾ/
In Spanish, "tener" means "to have" or "to possess." It is used broadly in various contexts, relating to ownership, obligations, or physical states. It is one of the most frequently used verbs in the language, found in both oral and written contexts. However, it might be slightly more prevalent in spoken language due to its everyday applications.
Yo tengo un coche nuevo.
Translation: I have a new car.
Ellos tienen que estudiar para el examen.
Translation: They have to study for the exam.
Ella tiene muchas responsabilidades en su trabajo.
Translation: She has many responsibilities at her job.
"Tener" is a crucial component in many idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Its versatility allows it to convey various meanings and emotions depending on the context.
Signifies having the right to speak in a conversation or meeting.
Tener miedo.
Translation: To be afraid.
Used to express fear of something.
Tener en cuenta.
Translation: To take into account.
Means to consider something when making decisions.
Tener hambre.
Translation: To be hungry.
Used to indicate the feeling of hunger.
Tener éxito.
Translation: To be successful.
Indicates achieving success in endeavors.
Tener frío.
Translation: To be cold.
Means to feel cold.
Tener paciencia.
Translation: To have patience.
Refers to the ability to remain calm in the face of frustration.
Tener la cabeza en las nubes.
Translation: To have your head in the clouds.
The word "tener" comes from the Latin verb tenere, which means "to hold" or "to keep." The transformation from Latin to Spanish included phonetic evolution and morphological changes relevant to the development of the language.
Overall, "tener" is a fundamental verb in the Spanish language, pivotal for expressing possession and various emotional or situational states.