Tener/haber?

Question

As I understand it, both verbs mean "to have". When should I use which?

Answer 1

Tener means to have and haber is and auxiliary.

I have two sisters. --> Tengo dos hermanas.

I have gone to Paris twice. --> He ido a Paris dos veces.

The verb haber is meaningless out of context.

Haber does not have to be an auxillary verb. E.g. Hay, había - impersonal haber - 0074b507, Nov 28, 2009

I know In fact I put that in my first post but then I edited it because I thought it wouldn't be easy to understand - pisacaballo, Nov 28, 2009

Answer 2

If "haber" is in the present tense third person singular--"hay"--it could also translate "there is/are"

Hay dos personas que tienen camisetas rosas.
There are two people who have pink T-shirts.

thanks - TheSilentHero, Nov 28, 2009

But if you mean they were wearing pink t shirts it is que llevan camisetas rosas. - kenwilliams, Nov 29, 2009

Answer 3

I see.

Thanks!