Certain common expressions in both Spanish and German use the verb ‘to have’. Below is a list of common expressions in which Spanish and German function in this manner. As these expressions do not always translate literally into English, they are best memorized.
Spanish expressions with the verb ‘tener’
1. To ask how old someone is you say:
¿Cuántos años tienes? – -> How many years do you have?
Tengo 20 años. – -> I have 20 years.
2. To talk about pain in the body you say:
¿Tienes dolor de cabeza? – -> Do you have pain of head?
3. To talk about sensations:
¿Tienes frío/hambre? – -> Do you have cold/hunger?
4. Idiomatic expressions:
tener miedo de . . . . . . – -> to have fear of . . . . . .
tener interés en . . . . . . – -> to have interest in . . . . . .
tener ganas de . . . . . . – -> to feel like . . . . . .
tener razón – -> to be correct
tener prisa – -> to be in a hurry
tener celos – -> to be jealous
tener éxito – -> to be successful
tener suerte – -> to be lucky
tener lugar – -> to take place
tener que – -> to have to
German expressions with the verb ‘haben’
1. To talk about pain in the body you say:
¿Hast du Kopfschmerzen? – -> Do you have a headache?
2. To talk about sensations:
¿Hast du Hunger/Durst? – -> Do you have hunger/thirst?
3. Idiomatic expressions:
haben Angst vor . . . . . . – -> to have fear of . . . . . .
haben Lust auf . . . . . . – -> to feel like . . . . . .
haben Interesse an . . . . . . – -> to have interest in . . . . . .
Recht haben – -> to be correct
Eile haben – -> to be in a hurry
Heimweh haben – -> to be homesick
Glück haben – -> to be lucky
