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"Amigo" is a noun which is often translated as "friend", and "tener" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to have". Learn more about the difference between "amigo" and "tener" below.
el amigo, la amiga, amigo(
ah
-
mee
-
goh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (companion)
a. friend
Me voy a juntar con unos amigos de la escuela este viernes.I'm going to get together with some friends from school this Friday.
b. pal (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Quedé con unas amigas para tomar algo.I arranged to go for something to eat with some pals.
c. buddy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Javier ha sido mi amigo desde hace años.Javier has been a buddy of mine for years.
d. mate (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mi amigo y yo fuimos al cine ayer.My mate and I went to the cinema yesterday.
2. (lover)
a. boyfriend (masculine)
Mi amigo es muy tacaño y nunca paga nada.My boyfriend is very mean and never pays for anything.
b. girlfriend (feminine)
Mi amiga quiere que nos casemos, pero yo no quiero.My girlfriend wants us to get married, but I don't want to.
a. pal (colloquial) (masculine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡A ver, amigo! Deja de bromear.Look here, pal! Stop fooling around.
b. buddy (colloquial) (masculine) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Oye, amigo! No hay porque ser tan borde.Hey, buddy! There's no need to be so rude.
c. mate (colloquial) (masculine) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡A ver, amigo! Haz el favor de bajarle el volumen a la música.Come on, mate! Turn your music down, will you?
d. honey (colloquial) (feminine)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mira, amiga; ya sabes lo que te voy a decir.Look, honey, you know what I'm going to say.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. friendly
Varios países amigos se unieron para ayudar a Haití después del temblor.Several friendly countries came together to assist Haiti after the earthquake.
a. keen on (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Jessica es amiga del teatro.Jessica's keen on the theater.
d. a fan of
No soy muy amigo de las películas de ciencia ficción.I'm not a huge fan of science fiction movies.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No soy muy amigo de la tecnología, pero entiendo su importancia.I don't really like technology, but I understand its importance.
Los británicos son muy amigos de hacer bricolaje y siempre están comprando artículos para la casa.The British love doing DIY and are always buying articles for the home.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
tener(
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to possess)
4. (to wear)
a. to have
La chica que busco tiene lentes de sol y una bufanda.The girl I'm looking for has sunglasses and a scarf.
10. (to measure)
12. (to receive)
a. to have
Todavía no tuve el correo electrónico de confirmación de la empresa.I haven't had a confirmation email from the company yet.
15. (to think of)
16. (used to indicate duration) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo dos años sin verlo.I haven't seen him for two years.
Mis abuelos tienen 40 años de casados.My grandparents have been married for 40 years.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to have to
Tengo que terminar mis deberes antes de salir a la fiesta.I have to finish my homework before going to the party.
b. must
Tienes que comer todo en tu plato si quieres postre.You must eat everything on your plate if you want dessert.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo pensado ir al mercado mañana.I think I'll go to the market tomorrow.
Tenemos entendido que piensas dejar la escuela.We understand that you're thinking of leaving school.
a. to make
La noticia sobre el huracán me tiene muy nervioso.The news about the hurricane is making me nervous.
tenerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to stand
Este adorno no se tiene sin apoyarlo contra algo.This ornament won't stand without leaning it on something.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estaba tan mareado que no me tenía de pie.I was so dizzy that I couldn't stand up.
No me tengo de sueño.I'm so tired I can barely stand.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Este muchacho se tiene por muy guapo.That kid thinks he's so attractive.
¿Por quién se tiene tu prima?Who does your cousin think she is?
