What's the difference between "Haber" and "Tener" ???

Question

Tener = To have

Haber = To have

When and where do we use Tener & haber in the sentences?

Can anyone help me with this?

Worth a bump mate. - ray76, Feb 6, 2015

Answer 1

Spanish has two verbs for "have" - tener and haber.

"Haber" is used to make the perfect tense sentences as in

I have had a lovely day.

He tenido un día precioso.

"Tener" is used like this.

I have a new car.

Tengo un coche nuevo.

I think you mean "perfect tenses", right? - Jubilado, Feb 5, 2015

Of course gracias amigo. :) - ian-hill, Feb 5, 2015

Good answer, Ian, - Daniela2041, Feb 6, 2015

Gracias Dani. - ian-hill, Feb 6, 2015

Answer 2

As Ian said the verb haber is used in conjugating verbs in the Present and Past Preterite, Past, Conditional and Future Perfect tenses in the Indicative Mood, and in the Present, Past, and Future Perfect Tenses in the Subjunctive Mood. See this link for the verb vivir:

Conjugation of vivir

The verb tener is used when one physically holds or possesses something or someone.

Tengo dos automóviles I have two cars.

Tengo dos hermanos I have two siblings. (Hermanos can mean brothers or siblings if one of the two is a female.) Note that the personal "a" is not used with tener here.

Answer 3

Es como una lógica.

Haber es existencial y tener es posesivo.

Answer 4

One major difference between these two words that has not been mentioned is that when haber is used like tener, it can be used to create an impersonal / passive voice phrase, ie:

You have to clean the office before the end of the day (indicative).

Tienes que limpiar la oficina antes del fin del día (indicative).

Hay que limpiar la oficina antes del fin del día (impersonal / passive voice).

This is a good point. - Jubilado, Feb 6, 2015