Haber/Tener – Verbs in Spanish Grammar

When to use haber

We use the Spanish verb haber for the following:

• to mean there is/are (always 3rd person singular)

Example:

Hay muchos cursos online gratuitos. There are many free courses online.

• as an auxiliary verb in compound tenses

Example:

Mi fisioterapeuta me ha dicho que haga más deporte. My physiotherapist told me to do more sport.

Me he apuntado a clases de yoga. I’ve signed up for a yoga class.

• in the verbal periphrasis hay que + infinitive (= need to/should); note: haber is always in the 3rd person singular hay in this form

Example:

Hay que hacer más deporte. You need to do more sport.

When to use tener

We use tener for the following:

• possession (have/have got)

Example:

Tengo muchos dolores de espalda. I have a lot of back pain.

• age

Example:

Tengo 32 años. I am 32 years old.

• in the verbal periphrasis tener que + infinitive (= have to)

Example:

Tengo que hacer más deporte. I have to do more sport.

• in the construction tener dicho algo a alguien to express frustration

Example:

Mi hermana me tiene dicho que me cuide más. My sister has told me a hundred times to take better care of myself.

• in the constructon tener + participle to mean something is already done

Example:

Tengo reservada una semana a finales de abril para hacer un retiro. I’ve got a week booked at the end of April for a retreat.

haber

tener