What is the difference between the spanish verbs haber and tener?

4 Comments

1. Arric G says:

   July 30, 2010 at 11:05 pm

   whenever you want to say "I have…" use tener

   I have four sisters = Tengo cuatro hermanas

   I have to go to the bathroom = Tengo que ir al armario de aseo

   whenever you want to say something happened in the past use haber

   I have been very tired = He estado muy fatigado

   I have already gone to the store = Ya he ido a la tienda
2. lbongo says:

   July 30, 2010 at 11:05 pm

   i no know
3. Jalisa says:

   July 30, 2010 at 11:05 pm

   They both mean "to have". But the difference is that:
   Tener means to have something, like a possesion. For example, "I have three hamburgers" (Tengo tres hamburgesas)
   or "I have a three children" (Tengo tres ninos) or " i have thirty dvds"
   Haber means to have something, not possesion, but like experience. For example, " I have eaten three hamburgers" (Yo he comido tres hamberguesas) or "I have seen thirty dvds" (yo he visto trenta dvds)
   Or just whenever you want to say that you have done something, or experienced something. "I have gone to Europe before" VS "I have four days before i go to Europe"
   hope that helps
4. Αѕнℓεy! says:

   July 30, 2010 at 11:05 pm

   They both mean to have, but the difference is that "haber" is a helping verb.
   Tener means to physically possess something, like I have three cats – Tengo tres gatos.
   Haber means to have done something, like I have seen that – Lo he visto.

   Tener:
   Tengo un carro rojo (I have a red car)
   El tiene tres hermanas (He has three sisters)

   Haber:
   She had been sick (Ella habia estado enferma)
   My brother has seen that movie (Mi hermano ha visto esa pelicula)

   ALSO.. "haber" can mean to be, or I think of it as "to exist"
   but that depends on what tense you use it in.

   There was a storm in my city (Hubo un terrimiento en mi ciudad)
   There are three white dogs (Hay tres perros blancos)

   I hope to have helped you!!