Spanish verb TENER (to have): present tense – Episode 61

Spanish verb TENER: present tense

Podcast episode 61 – SEE ALL EPISODES

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

---

Today you’re going to master the verb TENER in the present tense.

See also: Maria’s step-by-step Spanish courses.

Today’s question comes from Linda, one of my Twitter followers. Linda says: “I like your lessons where I learn to conjugate a new verb. What about having one with the verb TENER?”

To help you master the Spanish verbs easily, today we’re going to practice the six forms of the verb TENER in the present tense.

Knowing the most common verbs, like TENER, will help you become familiar with all other verbs really fast. TENER is an irregular verb, but there are many verbs that are irregular in a similar way. Knowing the six forms of the verb TENER will save you time when you go through those other verbs, and it’ll save a lot of effort too.

TENER is not a completely new verb, if you’ve listened to my previous lessons in this podcast. And you’ll often hear it in the conversations I’m bringing you in future lessons.

Today we’re going to focus on the six forms of the present tense. The most common tense of all. I’m going to say the six forms. Repeat them after me:

tengo – I have
tienes – you (singular) have
tiene – he/she/it has
tenemos – we have
tenéis – you (plural) have
tienen – they have

Let’s say them once more. Say them after me.

Now, we’re going to do a listening drill. Can you tell me what these 6 forms mean in English?

tengo – I have
tienes – you (singular) have
tiene – he/she/it has
tenemos – we have
tenéis – you (plural) have
tienen – they have

And now, let’s do a speaking drill. Can you tell me these 6 forms in Spanish?

you (plural) have – tenéis
we have – tenemos
they have – tienen
he/she/it has – tiene
I have – tengo
you (singular) have – tienes

Let’s do another speaking drill. Can you tell me these 6 forms in Spanish?

he/she/it has – tiene
you (plural) have – tenéis
they have – tienen
you (singular) have – tienes
I have – tengo
we have – tenemos

To recap, we’re going to say the 6 forms one last time.

To make sure you’ve mastered these six irregular forms, come back to this lesson every now and then. Remember that reviewing the lessons you’ve heard is essential if you want to become fluent in Spanish.

Have a look at
Maria’s step-by-step Spanish courses

Find out more about my Spanish courses.