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      How people feel: idiomatic uses of 'tener' + noun

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use the verb 'tener' to describe how people feel.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. The verb 'tener' can also be translated as 'to be + adjective' when used as an idiom, 'tener + noun'.
      2. Its singular forms are: 'tengo', 'tienes', 'tiene' and its plural forms are: 'tenemos' and 'tienen'.
      3. 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'.

      Teacher tip

      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.

      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.

      Correct Answer:canción (f),song
      Correct Answer:costo (m),cost
      Correct Answer:fiesta (f),party
      Correct Answer:premio (m),prize
      Correct Answer:película (f),film
      Correct Answer:tarta (f),cake

      Q2.
      Which verbs mean 'to take, taking'?

      intentar
      Correct answer: coger
      ganar
      cubrir
      Correct answer: tomar

      Q3.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:tener,to have, having
      Correct Answer:tengo,I have
      Correct Answer:tienes,you have
      Correct Answer:tiene,she, he, it has
      Correct Answer:tenemos,we have
      Correct Answer:tienen,they have

      Q4.
      Write in Spanish: 'I am ten years old'.

      Correct Answer: Tengo diez años.

      Q5.
      Which pronouns are plural?

      él
      ella
      Correct answer: nosotros
      Correct answer: nosotras
      Correct answer: ellas

      Q6.
      Write in Spanish: 'They (m) are bored.' Include the pronoun.

      Correct Answer: Ellos están aburridos.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      An is a phrase or expression whose meaning we don’t translate word-for-word.

      Correct Answer: idiom

      Q2.
      Order the numbers from smallest to largest.

      1 - trece
      2 - catorce
      3 - quince
      4 - dieciséis
      5 - diecisiete
      6 - dieciocho
      7 - diecinueve

      Q3.
      ' tenemos veinte años.' Choose the correct missing pronoun.

      yo
      él
      Correct answer: nosotros
      ellas

      Q4.
      Match the Spanish and English.

      Correct Answer:tener calor,to be hot
      Correct Answer:tener éxito,to be succesful
      Correct Answer:tener miedo,to be afraid
      Correct Answer:tener razón,to be correct, right
      Correct Answer:tener sueño,to be sleepy
      Correct Answer:tener suerte,to be lucky

      Q5.
      Order the words to say: 'You are lucky but I am sleepy.'

      1 -
      2 - tienes
      3 - suerte
      4 - pero
      5 - yo
      6 - tengo
      7 - sueño

      Q6.
      Write in Spanish: 'Is he hungry?'

      Correct Answer: ¿Tiene hambre?, ¿Él tiene hambre?

      To help you plan your 8 Spanish lesson on: How people feel: idiomatic uses of 'tener' + noun, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...