tengo

Tengo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb tener, meaning "to have." It is one of the most common verbs in Spanish and is used in a wide range of constructions beyond simple possession, including expressions of age, states, obligation, and desire.

Tener derives from Latin tenēre. In modern Spanish, its present tense is irregular: yo tengo, tú tienes, él tiene, nosotros tenemos, vosotros tenéis, ellos tienen. The verb forms the basis of many compound constructions, such as "tener que" for obligation and "tener ganas de" for desire.

Common uses include possession: "Tengo un libro." Age: "Tengo 18 años." Physical or mental states: "Tengo hambre," "Tengo sueño," "Tengo miedo." Obligations: "Tengo que estudiar." Desires: "Tengo ganas de comer." Other idioms: "tener cuidado" (to be careful), "tener éxito" (to be successful), "tener razón" (to be right), "tener prisa" (to be in a hurry).

Conjugation overview (present tense, indicative) illustrates the irregular yo form: tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tenéis, tienen. The verb also enters other tenses and moods (e.g., preterite tuve, tenía; subjunctive tenga, tengas), and appears in imperatives (ten, tenga, tengamos, tened, tengan) for giving instructions or requests.

See also: Tener (Spanish verb); Spanish grammar.