The irregular verb "tener"

The verb "tener" in Spanish is equivalent to the verb have in the sense of possession. Notice that the first example "Yo tengo veinte años" means I'm twenty years old. In Spanish, age is thought to be possessed and that is why this is the appropriate form to describe ages.

Common questions with the verb "tener" are:

• ¿Cuántos años tienes? How old are you?
• ¿Cuántos hijos tiene? How many children do you have?
• ¿Cuantos amigos tienes? How many friends do you have?
• ¿Tienes hambre? Are you hungry?
• ¿Tienes novio/novia? Do you have a boyfriend/grilfriend?
• ¿Tienes_______? Do you have_____?