Present of ter
Ter means "to have". Its present forms are teño, tes, ten, temos, tedes, teñen. The standard also accepts tendes for vós.
How It Works
The forms
- eu teño (I have)
- ti tes (you have)
- el, ela, vostede ten (he, she has; you have, formal)
- nós temos (we have)
- vós tedes or tendes (you all have)
- eles, elas, vostedes teñen (they have; you have, formal plural)
Two forms for vós. Both tedes and tendes are standard. Each is used in a large part of Galicia, so you can choose either one.
Possession. Teño dous irmáns. (I have two brothers.) Temos un can. (We have a dog.) Galician uses ter, not haber, to say that someone has something.
Common expressions with ter
- Age: Teño trinta anos. See saying your age.
- Feelings: Teño fame. (I am hungry.) See ter for physical feelings.
- Obligation: Teño que traballar. (I have to work.) See ter que.
- Being right: Tes razón. (You are right.)
To say that something exists ("there is"), use hai, not ter: Hai un bar na praza (There is a bar in the square). See hai.
Examples (6)
- Teño dous irmáns.
I have two brothers.
Word by Word: I-have two brothers.
Irmáns can also mean "siblings" when the group is mixed.
- Tes tempo agora?
Do you have time now?
Word by Word: You-have time now?
- A miña veciña ten tres gatos.
My neighbor has three cats.
Word by Word: The my neighbor has three cats.
- Temos un can moi pequeno.
We have a very small dog.
Word by Word: We-have a dog very small.
- Tedes coche?
Do you all have a car?
Word by Word: You-all-have car?
Tendes coche? is equally correct.
- Teñen unha casa na aldea.
They have a house in the village.
Word by Word: They-have a house in-the village.
Common Mistakes
Using the Spanish form tengo.
Tengo un irmán.Teño un irmán.The Galician "I" form is teño, spelled with ñ.
Using the Spanish form tenemos.
Nós tenemos un can.Nós temos un can.The Galician "we" form is short: temos.
Using ter to say that something exists.
Ten un bar na praza.Hai un bar na praza.Ten un bar means "he or she has a bar". To say "there is a bar", Galician uses hai.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Ter has its own present forms for possession and related expressions.
Related Patterns
- ter + Number + anosSaying Your Age
Ter is how you say your age.
Level 1 - ter fame / ter sede / ter fríoTer for Physical Feelings
Ter expresses hunger, thirst, cold and other feelings.
Level 1 - ter que + InfinitiveHaving to: Ter Que
Ter que + verb means "to have to".
Level 2 - haiThere Is and There Are: Hai
Hai, not ter, says that something exists.
Level 1 - Preterite of estar and ter
The past forms of ter (tiven, tivo).
Level 2 - ter + ParticipleTer + Participle for Repeated Actions
An advanced use of ter with a participle for repeated actions.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice Present of ter in Bubblegum
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