TENER Idioms

So what is an idiom? It’s an expression you can’t translate literally from one language to another: ??????? You’re pulling my leg. ???????

Spanish does have an expression similar to “you’re pulling my leg,” and it makes about as much sense: Me tomas el pelo. You’re taking my hair. ????????????

TENER idioms are called that because they don’t translate literally. tener calor = to be hot (but literally, to have heat) tener hambre = to be hungry (but literally, to have hunger) Tengo 20 años. = I am 20 years old. (Literally, I have 20 years.)

Idioms are not productive. That is, you can’t make any new constructions based on them. If “I’m pulling your leg” means “I’m teasing you,” does “I’m pulling your arm” mean “I’m watching you”? No. So just because “tengo 20 años” means “I am 20 years old” that doesn’t mean that “tengo seis pies (feet)” means “I am six feet tall.” What it actually means is “I have six feet.” “Tengo seis pies.” If you want to say, “I am six feet (tall)” you say literally “Soy seis pies.”

In short, “tener” means “to have.” It’s use in phrases like “tener calor” is idiomatic. Unless you memorize an idiom using “tener,” you use “ser” or “estar” to mean “to be”: Tengo calor—I am hot. Soy alto—I am tall. So if you want to say “I am,” “you are,” etc., and you’re using a word that you haven’t memorized with “tener,” then don’t use “tener” with it.