What are the tener expressions in Spanish?
Some of the most common expressions in Spanish use the verb tener.
¡Tengo hambre! – I’m hungry
¡Tengo sed! – I’m thirsty!
¡Tengo frío! – I’m cold!
¡Tengo calor! – I’m hot!
¡Tengo miedo! – I’m scared!
¡Tengo sueño! – I’m sleepy
¡Tengo prisa! – I’m in a hurry!
¡Tengo suerte! – I’m lucky!
¡Tengo éxito! – I’m successful!
These 9 tener expressions fall into the category of high frequency terms, expressions that students want to use often. Therefore, it’s important to teach them early. It’s best to teach expressions in context, as vocabulary, because students will often try to translate these expressions word for word using ser or estar.
Introducing tener expressions vocabulary in Spanish
If you are used to using a text book, then you will want to introduce the Spanish tener expressions as infinitives. Don’t do it! Students will almost always use these phrases in the “yo” form, so introduce them as “Tengo…”
Start by acting out each phrase and asking students to copy you.
¡Tengo sed!
¡Tengo hambre!
¡Tengo sueño!
¡Tengo miedo!
Next, call on student volunteers to act out the expressions that you call out. Encourage kids to really ham it up and exaggerate!
Next, use this Quizlet to show images of the tener expressions in Spanish. In flashcard mode, select options> answer with Spanish. This will show only the images.
Use the images to ask the students either/or questions.
–¿Tiene sed o tiene hambre?
–¡Ah sí! ¡Él tiene hambre!
–¿Y tú? ¿Tienes hambre?
Continue with the oral questioning using the targeted vocabulary structures and personalize it to your students, depending on their language abilities. Keep going for as long as they will stay engaged. For example:
¿Tienes hambre?
¿Tienes hambre a las 7:00 de la mañana?
¿Tienes hambre durante la clase de ciencias?
¿Tienes hambre después de correr?
¿Qué te gusta comer cuando tienes hambre?
Storytelling with Tener Expressions
After you have introduced the Spanish tener expressions and your students feel comfortable with the vocabulary, it’s time to begin storytelling! I wrote this silly Spanish story, La familia y el oso, focusing on expressions with tener back in 2006, and more than 10 years later, it is still everyone’s favorite!
Before you begin storytelling with tener expressions, decide which version of the story you want to tell.
The original story ends with the bear eating the brother. Most students LOVE this ending because it’s really hilarious to act out!
However, I have had some teachers prefer a more realistic ending, so I have this G-rated version as well.
Acting out the story
1. Introduce the story by call up five students to be your actors: mom, dad, brother, sister, bear. Pull the bear aside and secretly share his/her role to increase suspense!
2. Begin by narrating the story while your volunteer students act it out. Pause frequently to ask the audience questions and make sure they understand. Make sure to ask lots of questions reinforcing the tener expressions vocabulary!
3. When the bear enters, make a big reveal. This is the funny part!
4. Next, invite a new set of actors to come up and retell the story. You may decide to change certain parts with audience input!
5. Lastly, pass out the story to students and let them read it and answer the comprehension questions. Until now, they have not seen anything in writing.
Next, use the comic strip included at the end of the picture book to have students retell the story on their own to practice producing the tener expressions. They can either retell verbally or in writing. You may also wish to use some of the tener expression extension activities provided in the e-learning lesson!
E-learning lesson plans for Spanish tener expressions
The the e-learning plans provide a video narration of the story and most of the in-person activities in a digital format. These are great if you’re teaching Spanish tener expressions in a homeschool setting or if you need some quick sub plans.
