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  1. #1
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    Default estoy vs tengo

    I just started using Memrise to help learn Spanish. estoy and tengo are an issue for me in one lesson.

    According to the software.

    estoy enferma = I am sick
    tengo hambre = I am hungry

    It states that "estoy" = I am (temporary), while "tengo" = I have.

    Since both of these words that come after estoy and tengo are "feelings" in my opinion, how can I work this out to understand which word to use when I need to?

    I would have never associated tengo with "I am". I would have said "estoy hambre".

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    Default Re: estoy vs tengo

    I understand your confusion. You must realize that just as in English, there are verbs that have more than one meaning (in some, LOTS more). In this case "tener" means to have. It applies in several common Spanish uses which are uncommon in English. I'm hungry=tengo hambre; I'm thirsty=tengo sed; I have a headache=tengo dolor de cabeza; I have to go=tengo que ir.

    When you say I'm sick (estoy enferma) you are likely to hear "que tiene?" (what do you have?).
    vicente

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    Default Re: estoy vs tengo

    Quote Originally Posted by vicente View Post
    I understand your confusion. You must realize that just as in English, there are verbs that have more than one meaning (in some, LOTS more). In this case "tener" means to have. It applies in several common Spanish uses which are uncommon in English. I'm hungry=tengo hambre; I'm thirsty=tengo sed; I have a headache=tengo dolor de cabeza; I have to go=tengo que ir.

    When you say I'm sick (estoy enferma) you are likely to hear "que tiene?" (what do you have?).

    Thanks vicente

    Would there be confusion if I say "estoy hambre"?

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    Default Re: estoy vs tengo

    Well, maybe not confusion but you'd probably get a smile from whoever reads or hears it. Hunger is a condition. Tengo hambre literally means "I have hunger". Estoy hambre means literally means "I am hunger".

    In learning Spanish, bear in mind that you cannot always translate things literally. Sometimes it works but often you end up with something that sounds off the wall and that is the primary problem with using machine translators like Memrise.
    Last edited by vicente; 07-18-2015 at 10:51 AM.
    vicente

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    Default Re: estoy vs tengo

    I think that can be used both in any case.

    Tengo Hambre / Estoy Hambriento.
    Tengo una Enfermedad / Estoy Enfermo.

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    Default Re: estoy vs tengo

    Quote Originally Posted by usmdesigner View Post
    Thanks vicente

    Would there be confusion if I say "estoy hambre"?
    Hi, well, we would understand....but this is like saying:

    I have hungry.

    you would understand, right? But it is simply not said this way

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