Learning Spanish can feel like an exciting adventure, especially when kids discover fun expressions that make the language come alive. One of the most interesting parts of Spanish is the verb “tener,” which means “to have.” But in Spanish, tener is often used in special phrases called idioms that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they describe feelings, situations, and everyday experiences in a colorful and playful way.
For kids, tener idioms are fun because they talk about things children understand—being hungry, feeling scared, being excited, or having energy. These expressions help kids talk about emotions and daily life in a natural way. When tener idioms are explained simply in English, kids can understand them easily without feeling confused.
Learning tener idioms also helps children understand how Spanish is really spoken. These expressions appear in conversations, stories, cartoons, and classroom lessons. Knowing them helps kids feel more confident and proud when they hear or use Spanish in real life. Idioms show kids that language is more than just words—it’s about how people really communicate.
This guide is designed to make tener idioms fun and friendly for kids. With easy explanations and a cheerful tone, learning feels light and enjoyable. As kids explore these expressions, they’ll see that Spanish can be playful, expressive, and full of surprises.
⭐ 1. Feelings & Emotions Tener Idioms
These idioms help describe how someone feels inside.
1. Tener miedo
Meaning: To be afraid.
I have fear of the dark at night.
She has fear when she watches spooky movies.
2. Tener hambre
Meaning: To be hungry.
I have hunger after school.
The dog has hunger and waits for food.
3. Tener sed
Meaning: To be thirsty.
I have thirst after running outside.
He has thirst on hot days.
4. Tener sueño
Meaning: To be sleepy.
I have sleep at bedtime.
The baby has sleep very early.
5. Tener vergüenza
Meaning: To feel embarrassed.
I have embarrassment when I answer wrong.
She has embarrassment speaking in class.
6. Tener celos
Meaning: To feel jealous.
He has jealousy over the new toy.
She feels jealous sometimes.
7. Tener alegría
Meaning: To feel happy.
I have happiness on my birthday.
She has joy when she laughs.
8. Tener enojo
Meaning: To feel angry.
He has anger after losing the game.
She talks calmly to stop her anger.
9. Tener esperanza
Meaning: To have hope.
I have hope for tomorrow.
She has hope to do well.
10. Tener amor
Meaning: To feel love.
I have love for my family.
She shows love to her pet.
⭐ 2. Health, Body & Comfort Tener Idioms
These idioms talk about the body and how it feels.
1. Tener frío
Meaning: To be cold.
I have cold in winter.
She has cold without a sweater.
2. Tener calor
Meaning: To be hot.
I have heat in summer.
He has heat after playing.
3. Tener dolor
Meaning: To have pain.
I have pain in my arm.
She has pain after falling.
4. Tener fiebre
Meaning: To have a fever.
He has a fever and rests.
She stayed home with fever.
5. Tener tos
Meaning: To have a cough.
I have a cough at night.
He has cough from a cold.
6. Tener gripe
Meaning: To have the flu.
She has the flu today.
He missed school with flu.
7. Tener fuerzas
Meaning: To have strength or energy.
I have strength to play again.
She uses her strength to help.
8. Tener equilibrio
Meaning: To have balance.
I have balance on my bike.
She practices balance every day.
9. Tener cuidado
Meaning: To be careful.
Be careful on the stairs.
She shows care with scissors.
10. Tener paciencia
Meaning: To have patience.
I have patience while waiting.
She shows patience with puzzles.
⭐ 3. Everyday Life Tener Idioms
These idioms are common in daily routines.
1. Tener razón
Meaning: To be right.
You have reason this time.
She was right about the answer.
2. Tener prisa
Meaning: To be in a hurry.
I have hurry for school.
He walks fast with hurry.
3. Tener tiempo
Meaning: To have time.
I have time to read.
She has time to help.
4. Tener suerte
Meaning: To be lucky.
I have luck today.
He won with luck.
5. Tener éxito
Meaning: To be successful.
She has success at school.
Practice brings success.
6. Tener permiso
Meaning: To have permission.
I have permission to go out.
She asked for permission first.
7. Tener problemas
Meaning: To have problems.
The game has problems.
We fix problems together.
8. Tener ideas
Meaning: To have ideas.
I have ideas for a story.
She shares creative ideas.
9. Tener oportunidad
Meaning: To have an opportunity.
I have a chance to learn.
He got an opportunity to try.
10. Tener cuidado con
Meaning: To be careful with something.
Be careful with glue.
She is careful with paint.
⭐ 4. Age, Time & Weather Tener Idioms
These idioms describe age, time, and events.
1. Tener años
Meaning: To be a certain age.
I have nine years.
She has eleven years.
2. Tener edad para
Meaning: To be old enough.
He has age to help.
She has age to read alone.
3. Tener lugar
Meaning: To take place.
The party takes place today.
The show takes place here.
4. Tener sentido
Meaning: To make sense.
That answer has sense.
The rule makes sense.
5. Tener buen tiempo
Meaning: To have good weather.
We have good weather today.
Good weather means playtime.
6. Tener mal tiempo
Meaning: To have bad weather.
We have bad weather now.
Bad weather keeps us inside.
7. Tener importancia
Meaning: To be important.
Kindness has importance.
Rules have importance.
8. Tener momento
Meaning: To need a moment.
I need a moment to think.
She takes a quiet moment.
9. Tener futuro
Meaning: To have a future.
Learning builds your future.
Dreams create a future.
10. Tener lugar en
Meaning: To happen in a place.
The game happens in school.
The event happens in the park.
⭐ 5. School & Learning Tener Idioms
These idioms are often used at school or while learning new things.
1. Tener una pregunta
Meaning: To have a question.
I have a question about the homework.
She raised her hand because she had a question.
2. Tener una respuesta
Meaning: To have an answer.
I have an answer to the math problem.
He quickly shared his answer with the class.
3. Tener tarea
Meaning: To have homework.
I have homework after school today.
She finishes her homework early.
4. Tener un examen
Meaning: To have a test.
We have a test on Friday.
He studies hard because he has an exam.
5. Tener dificultades
Meaning: To have difficulties.
I have difficulties with long words.
She has difficulties but keeps trying.
6. Tener facilidad
Meaning: To learn something easily.
He has ease with numbers.
She has facility learning languages.
7. Tener atención
Meaning: To pay attention.
The teacher asked us to have attention.
She has attention during reading time.
8. Tener confianza
Meaning: To feel confident.
I have confidence to read aloud.
She has confidence in her answers.
9. Tener interés
Meaning: To be interested.
I have interest in science.
He shows interest in art class.
10. Tener memoria
Meaning: To remember well.
She has good memory for stories.
He has memory for numbers.
⭐ 6. Family & Relationships Tener Idioms
These idioms describe relationships and feelings toward others.
1. Tener amigos
Meaning: To have friends.
I have many friends at school.
She has friends who help her.
2. Tener confianza en alguien
Meaning: To trust someone.
I have trust in my parents.
She has trust in her teacher.
3. Tener cariño
Meaning: To feel affection.
I have affection for my grandma.
He shows affection to his pet.
4. Tener respeto
Meaning: To show respect.
We have respect for others.
She listens with respect.
5. Tener apoyo
Meaning: To have support.
I have support from my family.
She feels strong with support.
6. Tener una amistad
Meaning: To have a friendship.
They have a strong friendship.
Friendship grows with kindness.
7. Tener discusiones
Meaning: To have arguments.
They had discussions but made peace.
Small discussions happen sometimes.
8. Tener alguien cerca
Meaning: To have someone close.
I have my sister close to me.
She feels happy with family nearby.
9. Tener unión
Meaning: To be united.
The family has strong unity.
Unity makes us happier.
10. Tener cuidado con los demás
Meaning: To care about others.
He is careful with others’ feelings.
She thinks before she speaks.
⭐ 7. Thinking & Ideas Tener Idioms
These idioms are about thinking, imagining, and understanding.
1. Tener una idea
Meaning: To have an idea.
I have an idea for the story.
She shares her idea happily.
2. Tener una opinión
Meaning: To have an opinion.
I have an opinion about the game.
Everyone shared their opinion.
3. Tener sentido del humor
Meaning: To have a sense of humor.
He has a great sense of humor.
She laughs and makes jokes kindly.
4. Tener dudas
Meaning: To have doubts.
I have doubts about the answer.
She asks questions when she has doubts.
5. Tener claro
Meaning: To understand clearly.
I have it clear now.
She made the rules clear.
6. Tener imaginación
Meaning: To have imagination.
He has imagination for drawing.
Her imagination creates stories.
7. Tener memoria corta
Meaning: To forget easily.
I have a short memory sometimes.
He forgets where he puts things.
8. Tener atención en
Meaning: To focus on something.
I focus on my reading.
She puts attention on details.
9. Tener un plan
Meaning: To have a plan.
We have a plan for the project.
She follows the plan step by step.
10. Tener curiosidad
Meaning: To be curious.
I have curiosity about space.
Curiosity helps us learn more.
⭐ 8. Time, Routine & Habits Tener Idioms
These idioms talk about daily routines and time.
1. Tener tiempo libre
Meaning: To have free time.
I have free time after school.
She uses free time to draw.
2. Tener prisa por
Meaning: To be eager to do something.
I have hurry to go outside.
He is eager to play.
3. Tener costumbre
Meaning: To have a habit.
I have the habit of reading.
She has a habit of helping.
4. Tener turno
Meaning: To have a turn.
It’s my turn to speak.
She waits for her turn.
5. Tener horario
Meaning: To have a schedule.
I have a school schedule.
She follows her schedule daily.
6. Tener puntualidad
Meaning: To be on time.
He has punctuality always.
Being on time shows respect.
7. Tener descanso
Meaning: To take rest.
I have rest after lunch.
She needs rest after studying.
8. Tener paciencia con el tiempo
Meaning: To wait calmly.
Be patient with time.
Good things take time.
9. Tener rutina
Meaning: To have a routine.
I have a bedtime routine.
Routine helps us feel calm.
10. Tener preparación
Meaning: To be prepared.
I have preparation for class.
She prepares before tests.
⭐ 9. Goals, Effort & Success Tener Idioms
These idioms talk about trying hard and reaching goals.
1. Tener un objetivo
Meaning: To have a goal.
My goal is to read more.
She sets a goal each week.
2. Tener éxito en
Meaning: To succeed at something.
He has success in school.
Practice brings success.
3. Tener esfuerzo
Meaning: To make effort.
I put effort into my work.
Effort helps you improve.
4. Tener motivación
Meaning: To feel motivated.
I have motivation to learn.
She stays motivated daily.
5. Tener progreso
Meaning: To make progress.
I see progress in reading.
She makes progress every day.
6. Tener disciplina
Meaning: To stay focused and organized.
Discipline helps with learning.
She shows discipline in practice.
7. Tener recompensa
Meaning: To earn a reward.
Hard work brings reward.
She earned a reward for kindness.
8. Tener orgullo
Meaning: To feel proud.
I feel pride in my work.
She feels proud of helping.
9. Tener metas claras
Meaning: To have clear goals.
Clear goals help success.
She writes her goals down.
10. Tener confianza en ti mismo
Meaning: To believe in yourself.
Believe in yourself always.
Confidence helps you try.
⭐ 10. Confidence & Growth Tener Idioms
These idioms help kids feel strong, brave, and ready to grow.
1. Tener confianza
Meaning: To believe in yourself.
I have confidence to speak.
Confidence helps me try.
2. Tener valor
Meaning: To be brave.
She has courage to ask.
Being brave feels good.
3. Tener seguridad
Meaning: To feel safe and sure.
I feel safe in class.
Security brings calm.
4. Tener autoestima
Meaning: To feel good about yourself.
I feel good about me.
Self-esteem grows with kindness.
5. Tener fuerza interior
Meaning: To have inner strength.
I stay strong inside.
Inner strength helps hard days.
6. Tener aprendizaje
Meaning: To learn from experience.
Mistakes bring learning.
Learning helps us grow.
7. Tener crecimiento
Meaning: To improve over time.
I show growth in reading.
Practice brings growth.
8. Tener pensamiento positivo
Meaning: To think positive thoughts.
I think positive today.
Positive thinking helps success.
9. Tener apoyo en ti mismo
Meaning: To rely on yourself.
I trust myself.
Self-support builds courage.
10. Tener un futuro brillante
Meaning: To have a bright future.
My future looks bright.
Dreaming helps tomorrow.
⭐ 11. School Life Tener Idioms
These idioms are often used at school and while learning.
1. Tener tarea
Meaning: To have homework.
I have homework today.
Homework helps me learn.
2. Tener examen
Meaning: To have a test.
She has a test tomorrow.
Studying helps with tests.
3. Tener una pregunta
Meaning: To want to ask something.
I have a question.
Questions help us understand.
4. Tener la respuesta
Meaning: To know the answer.
He has the right answer.
Answers feel great.
5. Tener atención
Meaning: To pay attention.
Pay attention in class.
Attention helps learning.
6. Tener interés
Meaning: To like learning about something.
I have interest in science.
Interest makes school fun.
7. Tener dificultad
Meaning: To find something hard.
Math gives me difficulty.
Practice makes it easier.
8. Tener facilidad
Meaning: To learn easily.
She has ease with reading.
Everyone learns differently.
9. Tener buena memoria
Meaning: To remember well.
He has good memory.
Memory improves with practice.
10. Tener confianza en clase
Meaning: To feel confident at school.
I feel confident in class.
Confidence helps speaking.
⭐ 12. Daily Routine Tener Idioms
These idioms are used in everyday life.
1. Tener tiempo
Meaning: To have time.
I have time to read.
Time helps planning.
2. Tener prisa
Meaning: To be in a hurry.
She is in a hurry.
Slow down when needed.
3. Tener permiso
Meaning: To be allowed to do something.
I have permission to go.
Always ask first.
4. Tener suerte
Meaning: To have good luck.
He has good luck today.
Trying brings luck.
5. Tener cuidado
Meaning: To be careful.
Be careful crossing roads.
Safety is important.
6. Tener un problema
Meaning: To have a problem.
I have a problem.
Problems can be fixed.
7. Tener una idea
Meaning: To think of something new.
I have an idea.
Ideas start fun projects.
8. Tener un plan
Meaning: To plan ahead.
We have a plan.
Plans help success.
9. Tener oportunidad
Meaning: To have a chance.
She has a chance to try.
Use chances wisely.
10. Tener costumbre
Meaning: To have a habit.
Reading is my habit.
Good habits help growth.
⭐ 13. Family & Friends Tener Idioms
These idioms talk about relationships and caring for others.
1. Tener familia
Meaning: To have a family.
I have a loving family.
Family helps and cares.
2. Tener amigos
Meaning: To have friends.
She has many friends.
Friends make life fun.
3. Tener apoyo
Meaning: To receive support.
I have support at home.
Support gives strength.
4. Tener confianza en alguien
Meaning: To trust someone.
I trust my best friend.
Trust builds strong bonds.
5. Tener respeto
Meaning: To treat others kindly.
We show respect at school.
Respect makes peace.
6. Tener cariño
Meaning: To feel affection.
I feel affection for pets.
Kind actions show care.
7. Tener una relación
Meaning: To be connected to someone.
We have a good relationship.
Talking helps relationships.
8. Tener ayuda
Meaning: To get help.
I get help from teachers.
Help makes things easier.
9. Tener alguien cerca
Meaning: To have someone nearby.
She has friends nearby.
Close people help us feel safe.
10. Tener unión
Meaning: To stay together.
Family unity matters.
Together is stronger.
⭐ 14. Feelings & Emotions Tener Idioms
These idioms show how we feel inside.
1. Tener miedo
Meaning: To feel scared.
I feel scared at night.
Light helps fear.
2. Tener alegría
Meaning: To feel happy.
I feel joy today.
Smiles bring joy.
3. Tener tristeza
Meaning: To feel sad.
I feel sad sometimes.
Talking helps sadness.
4. Tener nervios
Meaning: To feel nervous.
I feel nervous before tests.
Practice calms nerves.
5. Tener vergüenza
Meaning: To feel shy or embarrassed.
She feels shy in class.
Everyone feels shy sometimes.
6. Tener enojo
Meaning: To feel angry.
He feels angry now.
Breathing helps anger.
7. Tener amor
Meaning: To feel love.
I feel love for family.
Love makes us kind.
8. Tener celos
Meaning: To feel jealous.
He feels jealous sometimes.
Sharing helps jealousy.
9. Tener esperanza
Meaning: To feel hope.
I have hope for tomorrow.
Hope helps us try.
10. Tener calma
Meaning: To feel calm.
I feel calm now.
Calm helps thinking.
🎯 Conclusion.
Learning tener idioms is a wonderful way for kids to grow both their language skills and their confidence. These expressions may look simple, but they help us talk about feelings, health, school, goals, friendships, and everyday life in a clear and natural way. When kids understand how tener is used differently from English, Spanish starts to make a lot moremore sense.
Using tener idioms also makes speaking and reading more fun and more powerful. Instead of just saying “I am hungry” or “I am scared,” kids learn to say what they feel the way Spanish speakers really do. This helps them sound more natural, understand stories better, and feel proud of what they are learning.
The best part? These idioms are easy to practice every day—at school, at home, or even while playing. The more kids use them, the more confident they become. So keep practicing, keep trying, and enjoy learning Spanish—because with tener idioms, every new sentence is a step toward success!
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