Introduction
This beginner guide explains how to form and use Spanish questions with the verb tienes. Learn when to ask with tienes, how to change word order, use question words, and respond naturally in everyday situations like shopping, travel, and conversations. Practical examples and common mistakes help you build confidence fast.
- What does tienes mean?
- How to make simple yes/no questions with tienes
- Using question words with tienes
- Short answers and natural responses
- When to use tienes vs other forms
- Practical situations: how beginners will use tienes
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Simple drills and practice tips
- Useful vocabulary to pair with tienes
- Mini conversation examples
- Notes on pronunciation and stress (brief)
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- Conclusion
What does tienes mean?
Tienes is the second person singular form of the verb tener in the present tense. It means you have in conversational Spanish and is used for familiar you, for example with friends, family, or people you address as tú.
English equivalent: you have
Basic form: tener (to have) → yo tengo, tú tienes, él/ella tiene
How to make simple yes/no questions with tienes
To form a yes/no question, you can keep the same word order as a statement and simply change your intonation when speaking, or add question marks in writing. For clarity and emphasis, many speakers invert subject and verb or add question words.
Statement: Tienes mi número.
Question (intonation): Tienes mi número?
Question (inversion): Tienes tú mi número?
Both written and spoken Spanish accept both formats, but inversion with the subject is common in writing and in clearer speech.
Examples of everyday yes/no questions
Tienes cambio para veinte?
Tienes un bolígrafo?
Tienes tiempo ahora?
Tienes frío?
Example translations: Do you have change for a twenty? Do you have a pen? Do you have time now? Are you cold?
Using question words with tienes
Question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) help you ask for specific information. Place the question word at the start, then the verb phrase tienes, then the subject if you want emphasis or clarity.
Common question words
dónde = where
qué = what
cuándo = when
por qué = why
cómo = how
quién = who
Examples with explanations
¿Dónde tienes las llaves? — Ask where someone keeps or has their keys.
¿Qué tienes en la mochila? — Ask what someone has in their backpack.
¿Cuándo tienes la cita? — Ask when their appointment is scheduled.
¿Por qué tienes esa foto? — Ask why they have that photo.
¿Cómo tienes tu cuenta configurada? — Ask how they have their account set up (useful for tech support).
¿Quién tienes como contacto de emergencia? — Less common: grammatically it would be ¿A quién tienes como contacto de emergencia? but the pattern shows adding prepositions when needed.
Short answers and natural responses
Beginners should learn short natural replies. Spanish commonly uses short affirmative and negative answers without repeating the verb fully.
Yes: Sí.
No: No.
Short affirmative with more info: Sí, te doy el bolígrafo.
Short negative: No, no tengo cambio.
Other natural phrases: Sí, claro. / No, lo siento. / Ahora no.
Examples of realistic replies
Question: ¿Tienes una servilleta?
Answer: Sí, aquí tienes.
Question: ¿Tienes una mesa libre?
Answer: No, en este momento no.
Question: ¿Tienes tiempo mañana?
Answer: Sí, por la tarde.
When to use tienes vs other forms
Use tienes when speaking to someone you address as tú. For polite or formal situations with usted, use tiene. For I have, use tengo. For plural you (ustedes) use tienen in Latin American Spanish.
Comparisons: yo tengo (I have), tú tienes (you have), él/ella tiene (he/she has), usted tiene (formal you), nosotros tenemos (we have), ustedes tienen (you plural).
Practical situations: how beginners will use tienes
Below are common beginner scenarios with sample Spanish phrases you might encounter or say.
Shopping and markets
¿Tienes este tamaño en rojo? — Do you have this size in red?
¿Tienes tarjeta de fidelidad? — Do you have a loyalty card?
¿Tienes cambio? — Do you have change?
Travel and transit
¿Tienes un mapa de la ciudad? — Do you have a city map?
¿Tienes hora del próximo autobús? — Do you have the time of the next bus?
Social contexts
¿Tienes planes este fin de semana? — Do you have plans this weekend?
¿Tienes Instagram? — Do you have Instagram?
At work or school
¿Tienes la tarea? — Do you have the homework?
¿Tienes los documentos firmados? — Do you have the signed documents?
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Using usted form with tú situations. If you are addressing a friend, use tienes, not tiene.
Mistake 2: Forgetting question marks or intonation. In writing always wrap the question with opening and closing question marks: ¿ … ?
Mistake 3: Word order confusion. You can say ¿Tienes tú…? or ¿Tienes …? Both work, but avoid placing the subject before the verb as a default English-like order in a question: ¿Tú tienes…? is acceptable informally, but inversion sounds more natural in many contexts: ¿Tienes tú…? or ¿Tienes…?
Mistake 4: Overusing literal translations. English How do you have? does not translate. Use ¿Cómo tienes… only when appropriate, like ¿Cómo tienes tu perro? meaning how do you have your dog (rare). Prefer ¿Cómo es tu perro? for physical description.
Simple drills and practice tips
Practice 1: Replace the object in this pattern to build variety: ¿Tienes _____? Example: ¿Tienes agua? ¿Tienes papel? ¿Tienes tiempo?
Practice 2: Add question words: ¿Dónde tienes _____? ¿Cuándo tienes _____? ¿Por qué tienes _____?
Practice 3: Role-play short dialogues: One person asks ¿Tienes _____? and the other replies Sí, toma. or No, lo siento. Keep answers short and natural.
Practice 4: Use flashcards with common objects and ask ¿Tienes esto? Record yourself and check intonation and inversion.
Useful vocabulary to pair with tienes
cambio — change (money)
bolígrafo — pen
llaves — keys
mapa — map
tiempo — time
dinero — money
tarjeta — card
cita — appointment
servilleta — napkin
mesa libre — free table
Mini conversation examples
Scenario: café
Cliente: ¿Tienes una mesa para dos?
Empleado: Sí, por aquí.
Scenario: bus stop
Persona A: ¿Tienes idea a qué hora pasa el bus?
Persona B: Creo que a las nueve.
Scenario: phone numbers
Amigo: ¿Tienes el número de Carla?
Contestación: Sí, te lo paso.
Notes on pronunciation and stress (brief)
Tener is regular in pronunciation for beginners: the stress in tienes falls on the first syllable: TI-e-nes. Practice saying ¿Tienes…? with rising intonation for questions.
Quick reference cheat sheet
Form: ¿Tienes + object/phrase? — Simple yes/no question.
With subject: ¿Tienes tú + object? — Add tú for emphasis or clarity.
With question word: ¿Dónde tienes + object? — Ask for location, time, reason, etc.
Respond: Sí. / No. / Sí, aquí tienes. / No, lo siento. / Ahora no.
Conclusion
Mastering questions with tienes gives beginners a practical tool for everyday Spanish conversations. Use simple yes/no patterns, add question words for details, practice short replies, and avoid common mistakes like wrong formality. With the vocabulary and role-play examples above, you can start asking and answering real questions today.
