Using “Tener” to Talk About Needs & Feelings: “Tengo hambre”, “Tengo sueño”

If you’ve ever heard your child say “Estoy hambre” or “Soy sueño”, you’re about to help them unlock one of the most natural patterns in Spanish speech: using tener for needs and feelings. This grammar concept is a big milestone because it’s how native speakers express everyday sensations like hunger, sleepiness, or coldness—things kids talk about constantly! Mastering these expressions helps learners sound natural and confident from the start.

In this post, we’ll explore when and how to use tener for needs and feelings through simple rules, clear examples, and fun practice sentences. By the end, you’ll be able to help your learner say “Tengo hambre” (I’m hungry), “Tengo frío” (I’m cold), and more—all without memorizing long grammar charts. Let’s make your family’s Spanish feel like real conversation, not just classroom drills.

What Does “Tener” Mean?

The verb tener means “to have.” It’s one of the most useful verbs in Spanish because it helps describe both possession (I have a book) and physical or emotional states (I’m hungry, I’m tired).

In English, we usually say I am hungry or I am cold. But in Spanish, you literally say I have hunger or I have cold. That’s why you need to use tener for needs and feelings—it’s the natural way to express sensations and conditions.

Here’s the key idea:
✅ tener + noun = to be [adjective] in English.
For example:

• Tengo hambre. → I am hungry.
• Tengo sueño. → I am sleepy.
• Tengo frío. → I am cold.

These expressions connect how we feel to what we “have,” which might sound funny in English—but it’s a window into how Spanish speakers view experiences.

Rules and Structure

To use tener for needs and feelings correctly, you’ll want to memorize the present tense forms and the common expressions it creates.

1. Conjugation of Tener (Present Tense)

Subject	Tener form	Example
Yo	tengo	Tengo hambre. (I’m hungry.)
Tú	tienes	¿Tienes frío? (Are you cold?)
Él / Ella / Usted	tiene	Ella tiene sueño. (She’s sleepy.)
Nosotros / Nosotras	tenemos	Tenemos calor. (We’re hot.)
Vosotros / Vosotras	tenéis	¿Tenéis sed? (Are you thirsty?)
Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes	tienen	Tienen prisa. (They’re in a hurry.)

Remember: the “yo” form (tengo) is irregular—it doesn’t follow the usual pattern. But the others share the root tien-, which helps kids remember them easily.

2. Common Tener Expressions for Feelings and Needs

Use tener for needs and feelings when describing physical states, sensations, or emotional reactions:

• Tengo hambre – I’m hungry
• Tengo sed – I’m thirsty
• Tengo frío – I’m cold
• Tengo calor – I’m hot
• Tengo sueño – I’m sleepy
• Tengo miedo – I’m afraid
• Tengo prisa – I’m in a hurry
• Tengo suerte – I’m lucky
• Tengo razón – I’m right
• Tengo dolor de cabeza – I have a headache
• Tengo ganas de jugar – I feel like playing
• Tengo años – I am [number] years old (Tengo diez años. = I am ten years old.)

All of these rely on tener, showing possession of a sensation rather than simply “being” it.

3. Adding Intensity

You can add mucho/mucha or un poco de to show degree:

• Tengo mucha hambre. – I’m very hungry.
• Tengo mucho frío. – I’m very cold.
• Tengo un poco de sed. – I’m a little thirsty.

Notice that mucha/mucho agrees with the noun it modifies (hambre is feminine, so we say mucha).

4. Making Negatives and Questions

Forming negatives or questions with tener for needs and feelings is simple:

• No tengo hambre. – I’m not hungry.
• ¿Tienes sueño? – Are you sleepy?
• ¿Tienen prisa? – Are they in a hurry?

This flexibility helps young learners practice full conversation exchanges in Spanish.

Examples in Context

Let’s look at tener in action:

1. Después del recreo, tengo sed y tengo calor.
   After recess, I’m thirsty and hot.
2. Por la noche, tengo sueño, pero tengo ganas de leer un cuento.
   At night, I’m sleepy, but I feel like reading a story.
3. Mi hermano tiene miedo de los truenos.
   My brother is afraid of thunder.
4. Los niños tienen hambre después del fútbol.
   The kids are hungry after soccer.
5. Mi abuela siempre dice que tiene suerte porque vive cerca de la playa.
   My grandmother always says she’s lucky because she lives near the beach.

Each example shows how tener helps describe real, relatable moments in daily life—perfect for middle schoolers learning to express themselves.

Exceptions and Edge Cases

Spanish loves exceptions, but they’re easy to handle once you know the patterns.

1. Tener vs. Estar
   Don’t mix up tener and estar!

• Tengo frío (I’m cold) describes how you feel physically.
• Estoy frío (I am cold) means your body or personality is cold—awkward for people!

2. Tener vs. Hacer
   Sometimes English uses “to be” where Spanish uses hacer instead:

• Hace frío = It’s cold (weather, not you).
• Tengo frío = I’m cold (you feel it).

These subtle distinctions show how Spanish separates environment (hace) from personal experience (tengo).

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Even adults mix these up! Let’s make sure your learner doesn’t.

1. Using estar instead of tener
   ❌ Estoy hambre. → ✅ Tengo hambre.
2. Forgetting gender agreement with mucho/mucha
   ❌ Tengo mucho hambre. → ✅ Tengo mucha hambre.
3. Mixing age expressions
   ❌ Soy diez años. → ✅ Tengo diez años.
4. Leaving out “de” in aches
   ❌ Tengo dolor cabeza. → ✅ Tengo dolor de cabeza.
5. Using tener when it’s not needed
   ❌ Busco por mi libro. → ✅ Busco mi libro.
   (Por and para have their own rules—see our post “When to Use Por vs. Para with Kids.”)

Helping children notice these patterns early makes tener for needs and feelings second nature.

Tips and Tricks to Remember

Here are a few ways to make this concept stick during daily routines:

• Gesture association: Kids act it out! Cross arms for frío, yawn for sueño, rub belly for hambre.
• The “I have it” rule: If it’s something you feel in your body or mind, think “I have” in Spanish, not “I am.”
• Use real life cues: Before meals: ¿Tienes hambre? Before bedtime: ¿Tienes sueño?
• Pair with visual aids: Sticky notes or flashcards with emojis and Spanish words make tener for needs and feelings memorable.
• Practice rhythm: Chant short sentences aloud: Tengo hambre, tengo sed, tengo sueño, quiero comer.

Mini Practice Quiz

Fill in the blank with the correct form of tener and word.

1. Después de correr, yo ______ sed.
2. Mi hermano ______ miedo de la oscuridad.
3. Nosotros ______ frío en invierno.
4. ¿Tú ______ sueño después de cenar?
5. Ellos ______ ocho años.

Answer Key:

1. tengo
2. tiene
3. tenemos
4. tienes
5. tienen

Bonus:
Turn this sentence into a question:
Tengo hambre. → ¿Tienes hambre?

Now try making it negative:
No tengo hambre.

Mini exercises like these are excellent warm-ups for homeschool sessions or 1-on-1 classes.

Quick Summary / Cheat Sheet

TENER + NOUN = FEELINGS / NEEDS

Expression	Meaning
Tengo hambre	I’m hungry
Tengo sed	I’m thirsty
Tengo sueño	I’m sleepy
Tengo frío / calor	I’m cold / hot
Tengo miedo	I’m afraid
Tengo años	I’m [age] years old
Tengo dolor de cabeza	I have a headache
Tengo ganas de jugar	I feel like playing

🟢 Tip: If it’s something your body or heart “has,” not something you “are,” you probably need tener.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Up!

Understanding how to use tener for needs and feelings is one of those breakthrough moments that makes Spanish click for kids. It helps them talk about real emotions and sensations naturally—without awkward English translations.

With practice, your learner will start saying “Tengo hambre” instead of “Estoy hambre,” and “Tengo sueño” before bedtime, just like a native speaker. These quick wins build confidence and keep motivation high.

At Homeschool Spanish Academy, we make grammar fun and personal through live 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 sessions with native-speaking teachers. Your child can practice saying tengo hambre, tengo sueño, and dozens of other everyday phrases through games, visuals, and conversations designed for their age and level. With flexible scheduling and an engaging curriculum, learning Spanish becomes part of your family’s rhythm.

Book your free trial class today and see how easily your child can start speaking with confidence!

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