Confused about "Tengo"

Question

Hola!

This may seem stupid, but I am a bit confused about the meaning of "tengo". I know that it means "I am", but doesn't it also mean "I have"?

For example, Tengo que irme, would be, I have to go. Correct? And Tengo diez y seis años is I am 16 years. Right??

So, am I just stupid or is this a bit confusing?

Gracias a todos por tu paciencia.

Also you have to say "Tengo dieciseis años". The numbers since 11 to 30 are written in only one word in Spanish. - -cae-, Mar 18, 2012

It just means 'I have' ...English and Spanish can't always be translated literally. I have 16 years. I have hunger. I have thirst. That's just how they use 'tengo' - monarquía, Mar 19, 2012

Great question Kat! And these are all great answers... - sanlee, Mar 19, 2012

Thanks, guys!! :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

Good question! - --Mariana--, Mar 19, 2012

Thanks, Mariana! :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

Actually I am means soy And yes Tengo does mean I have like you could say :Yo tengo cartorce anos" I just said I have 40 years :) ;) - Salad-2, Jan 14, 2014

Answer 1

I can understand you getting confused, if you try to translate directly from Spanish into English.

In Spanish you say "Tengo hambre" for "I am hungry" also "Tengo miedo" If you were to translate this directly from Spanish it would be "I have hunger" and "I have fear."

Just try to learn the grammatical rules in Spanish and try to get the gist of what is being said. I am also a beginner. ¡Buenas suerte!

P.S. You are not stupid.

Thanks! :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

first the words meaning + the context referred to = understanding of what is intended to be communicated...'stupid' is not applicable!!! - HowardO, Mar 19, 2012

By the way you arn't stupid :) - Salad-2, Jan 14, 2014

Answer 2

I think this is a very common problem for all Spanish learners.

In English we say, " I am....." and we don't change the verb. But in Spanish, certain words that we translate "I am..." have to have the verbs tener, ser, or estar to make them 'sound right" in Spanish. It's late here now, but I'll try to remember to send a list to you that helped me a lot.

This is often covered in Spanish grammar books as a chapter in itself to explain, so don't feel like you are stupid... you are normal... it's just hard to get a brain that is used to the rules of one language to get used to the fact that they can be totally different in another. It's like driving in one country that drives on the right side of the road and in the next country you drive on the opposite side... it takes some getting used to and some practice.

Just type in 'ser & estar, tener" in the blank box under the question box and many, many, many posts and threads have been written about this and it is a regular question that comes up often by learners.

Thanks, Katy! :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

Answer 3

No worries. Like the other folks said, Tengo actually means I have. However even in the "tener" phrases, it still means I have. Think about it like this:

• "Tengo 3 hermanos" = "I Have 3 brothers"

• "Tengo miedo" = Instead of translating it as "I am scared", translate it as "I have fear".

• "Tengo 16 años" = Same idea. "I have 15 years"

Good job asking even if you felt embarrassed or stupid. No questions are stupid, we all at one point didn't know any spanish.

Thanks! :) - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

Answer 4

Tengo certainly doesn not mean I am. That's probably where you're getting confused.

Ser/Estar= to be

Tener=to have

Tener que= to have to (to be obliged)

Classic mix up

Wow. I feel stupid. lol But someone said that "Tengo miedo" means "I am afraid". I am so confused now. - 00cdfbd9, Mar 18, 2012

If "Tengo" doesn't mean "I am", then how does it work for that? - 00cdfbd9, Mar 18, 2012

Tener xxx años literally means "to have xxx years." It's just said in a different manner than we say it in English. Just like "Tengo sed," means (figuratively) "I am thirsty' but literally means "I have thirst." - BradyLabuda, Mar 18, 2012

Ohh! I get it now! Thanks, Brady!! :) But I still feel stupid. ;) sigh Oh well. Rookie. - 00cdfbd9, Mar 18, 2012

Because, my friend, the traslation is not literal. - -cae-, Mar 18, 2012

BradyLabuda did I great job traslating those expressions from Spanish to English literaly. - -cae-, Mar 18, 2012

Answer 5

Great question and some great answers!

My favorite expression is "No tengas pena" (Don't worry about it)

Here's a nice explanation of some uses of Tener.

Thanks, Mariana!! - 00cdfbd9, Mar 19, 2012

Great resource, Mariana. - katydew, Mar 19, 2012