What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase containing words that have one meaning on their own but, when combined with other words, take on a different meaning. Example: Tener hambre = to be hungry Tener (to have) Hambre (hunger)
Tener is used in many expressions (idioms) and, in many of these expressions, are followed by infintives (an un-conjugated verb). Some common tener idioms: 1. Tener prisa (to be in a hurry) 2. Tener hambre (to be hungry) 3. Tener suerte (to be lucky) 4. Tener calor (to be hot) 5. Tener frío (to be cold) 6. Tener sed (to be thirsty) 7. Tener sueño (to be sleepy) 8. Tener…años (to be… years old) 9. Tener que + infinitive (to have to ) 10. Tener ganas de + infinitive (to feel like) ***Tener must be conjugated
What is an infinitive? à An un-conjugated word ending with –ar, -er, or –ir. Tener que (to have to) and tener ganas de (to feel like) are expressions that must be followed by infinitives.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Deber (should, ought to) Poder, ue (to be able to, can) Pensar, ie (to plan to) Preferir, ie (to prefer, would rather) Querer, ie (to want ) Me gusta, te gusta, le gusta, nos gusta, les gusta (I like to, you like to, he/she/you like to, we like to, they like to, ya’ll like to) ***Deber, poder, pensar, preferir, & querer must be conjugated according to –er, -ar, and –ir conjugation rules/patterns.