Spanish examples for answers with “Tengo” and “No tengo”

Introduction

Learning how to answer simple questions with Tener is one of the most useful first steps in Spanish. This article explains how to use the verbs tengo and no tengo to say what you have and what you do not have, with clear examples, everyday vocabulary, common phrases, and beginner tips.

Why Tengo and No tengo matter for beginners

The verb tener means to have. At the beginner level, most Spanish questions and interactions ask about possessions, age, feelings, or obligations — all things expressed with tengo or no tengo. Learning these quick answers helps you understand simple conversations, fill out forms, and respond in stores, restaurants, or classrooms.

Basic structure and grammar

The present first person singular form is tengo. To make a negative you simply add no before the verb: no tengo. The structure is the same for simple statements and short responses.

Affirmative: Subject implied + tengo + noun or phrase.
No Tengo: Subject implied + no tengo + noun or phrase.

Examples use subject yo often omitted in Spanish: Yo tengo becomes just tengo in everyday speech.

Common situations where you use Tengo / No tengo

Possessions and items: responding when someone asks what you have or need.

Age: telling how old you are with the phrase tengo años.

Feelings and physical sensations: when Spanish uses tener to express states like hunger or fear.

Obligations: using tener que + infinitive to express must/need.

Possessions: simple yes/no answers

When someone asks if you have something, short answers with tengo and no tengo are common and polite.

Question: Tienes un bolígrafo?
Short answer affirmative: Sí, tengo un bolígrafo.
Short answer negative: No, no tengo un bolígrafo.

Other examples a beginner might use in a store or class:

Tengo mi mochila.

No tengo cambio.

Tengo una reserva.

No tengo la contraseña.

Age: using Tengo for years

Age is expressed with tengo + number + años. This is a key beginner pattern.

Tengo veinte años.

No tengo treinta años. (Used to deny being a certain age)

If you want to ask: ¿Cuántos años tienes?
Answer: Tengo veinticinco años.

Feelings and states with tener

Spanish often uses tener where English uses to be. These common expressions are critical for everyday communication.

Tengo hambre — I am hungry.

No tengo sueño — I am not sleepy.

Tengo frío/calor — I am cold/hot.

No tengo miedo — I am not afraid.

Beginners: memorize these set phrases; they are used in restaurants, homes, and clinics.

Obligations: Tengo que + infinitive

To express obligation or necessity, use tengo que plus an infinitive verb. Negative: no tengo que plus infinitive to say you do not have to do something.

Tengo que estudiar hoy.

No tengo que trabajar el sábado.

Use this in school, work, or travel planning conversations. It is a high-frequency structure for beginners.

Useful vocabulary to pair with Tengo / No tengo

Items: bolígrafo, mochila, teléfono, tarjeta, llave.

Food & drink: agua, pan, café, azúcar, leche.

Forms & documents: pasaporte, identificación, reserva, comprobante.

Feelings & states: hambre, sed, sueño, frío, calor, miedo, prisa.

Numbers for age and quantity: uno, dos, tres, diez, veinte.

Practical example dialogues

At a café — ordering or checking:
Barista: ¿Tienes tarjeta de cliente?
Customer: No, no tengo tarjeta.
Customer adds: Pero tengo la aplicación en el teléfono.

At the hotel reception:
Recepcionista: ¿Tiene usted una reserva?
Huésped: Sí, tengo una reserva a nombre de López.

In a classroom:
Profesor: ¿Tienes tu tarea?
Estudiante: No, no tengo la tarea. La dejé en casa.

Asking about feelings:
Amigo: ¿Tienes hambre?
Tú: Sí, tengo mucha hambre.

Polite responses and short answers

Short answers remain common. Use Sí or No followed by tengo or no tengo to be clear.

Sí, tengo.

No, no tengo.

For more detail, add the item or reason: No, no tengo efectivo porque pagué con tarjeta.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Using estar instead of tener for feelings. Remember: use tengo for hunger, thirst, sleep, cold, and fear (tengo hambre, tengo sed, tengo sueño).

Forgetting the no before the verb. English sometimes places not after the verb; in Spanish the negative particle comes before: No tengo tarjeta, not Tengo no tarjeta.

Dropping agreement when necessary. Tener does not change for gender on the verb, but the noun articles must match: Tengo una llave (not un llave).

Confusing tengo que and debo. Both express obligation but tengo que is more literal I have to. Use it for practical obligations: Tengo que trabajar. Debo sounds more formal or moral: Debo ayudar.

Practice tips for beginners

Make short daily lists of what you have and do not have. Write five sentences: three with tengo, two with no tengo.

Label objects at home with sticky notes and say the sentence aloud: Tengo la llave, No tengo la tarjeta.

Use simple role-play: pretend to order or ask for help using the sample dialogues above.

Record short voice notes of yourself answering common questions: ¿Tienes agua?, ¿Tienes la reservación?, ¿Tienes hambre?

Mini practice set with answers

Fill the blank: ¿Cuántos años _____? Answer: Tienes in question, response: Tengo veinte años.

Complete the sentence: No _____ dinero. Correct: no tengo dinero.

Translate: I am sleepy. Correct: Tengo sueño.

Translate: I have a key. Correct: Tengo una llave.

Quick cheat sheet

Affirmative short: Sí, tengo.

Negative short: No, no tengo.

Age: Tengo + number + años.

Feeling: Tengo hambre / sed / sueño / frío / calor / miedo.

Obligation: Tengo que + infinitive; Negative: No tengo que + infinitive.

Conclusion

Mastering tengo and no tengo gives beginners immediate practical power to describe possessions, feelings, age, and obligations. Use the realistic examples, vocabulary lists, and practice tips in this article to build confidence in everyday conversations, and remember the common mistakes so you can avoid them while speaking and writing.