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How people feel: idiomatic uses of 'tener' + noun
I can use the verb 'tener' to describe how people feel.
Lesson 2 of 4
New
New
- Year 8
How people feel: idiomatic uses of 'tener' + noun
I can use the verb 'tener' to describe how people feel.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- The verb 'tener' can also be translated as 'to be + adjective' when used as an idiom, 'tener + noun'.
- Its singular forms are: 'tengo', 'tienes', 'tiene' and its plural forms are: 'tenemos' and 'tienen'.
- The Spanish plural subject pronouns are: 'nosotros/as', 'ellos/as'. They add clarity about who the verb refers to.
Keywords
Tener - -er verb meaning 'to have, having'; with some nouns 'tener' also translates as 'to be, being'
Idiom - a phrase or expression whose meaning we don't translate word-for-word, e.g. 'it's raining cats and dogs'
Common misconception
The verb 'tener' always means 'to have, having'.
The verb 'tener' translates into English as 'to be' when used as part of idioms, e.g. 'tengo suerte' translates as 'I am lucky'.
The teacher might want to add an element of competition by doing activity B5 as a paired activity where the first pair to translate the sentences are the winners.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q2.Which verbs mean 'to take, taking'?
Which verbs mean 'to take, taking'?
intentar
ganar
cubrir
Q3.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q4.Write in Spanish: 'I am ten years old'.
Write in Spanish: 'I am ten years old'.
Q5.Which pronouns are plural?
Which pronouns are plural?
él
ella
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'They (m) are bored.' Include the pronoun.
Write in Spanish: 'They (m) are bored.' Include the pronoun.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An is a phrase or expression whose meaning we don’t translate word-for-word.
An is a phrase or expression whose meaning we don’t translate word-for-word.
Q2.Order the numbers from smallest to largest.
Order the numbers from smallest to largest.
Q3.' tenemos veinte años.' Choose the correct missing pronoun.
' tenemos veinte años.' Choose the correct missing pronoun.
yo
tú
él
ellas
Q4.Match the Spanish and English.
Match the Spanish and English.
Q5.Order the words to say: 'You are lucky but I am sleepy.'
Order the words to say: 'You are lucky but I am sleepy.'
Q6.Write in Spanish: 'Is he hungry?'
Write in Spanish: 'Is he hungry?'
