I am (something) vs. I have (something).

Question

I wasn't quite sure how else to phrase the subject but what I'm looking for is a list of phrases in Spanish where we would use "To be ____" in English, but Spanish uses "Tener _____"

Por ejemplo:

I am cold = Tengo frio You are jealous = Tienes celos I am 42 years old = Tengo años 42.

Muchas gracias!

Answer 1

Hi Dif! Here are some familiar tener expressions that denote "to be" in English:

tener miedo (de)= to be afraid (of)

tener éxito= to be successful

tener sueño= to be sleepy

tener calor= to be warm/hot

tener paciencia= to be patient

tener suerte= to be lucky

There are others that can be added to this, but these are all that I remember right now. Good luck! (¡Que tengas suerte!)

Answer 2

There's also "Tengo hambre" and "Tengo sed" for "I am hungry" and "I am thirsty".

Answer 3

Try this link to a reference page about "tener". Toward the bottom of that page is an additional "tener" link.