tenere
Irregular in -ng- Level A2 ⭐ #23 Most CommonEnglish translation: to hold / to keep
Present (Presente)
Holding or keeping now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| io | tengo | |
| tu | tieni | |
| lui/lei/Lei | tiene | |
| noi | teniamo | |
| voi | tenete | |
| loro | tengono |
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Frequently Asked Questions: TENERE
Is "tenere" a regular or irregular verb in Italian? ▾
"tenere" is classified as a Irregular in -ng- verb in Italian. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "io tengo, tu tieni, lui tiene / tenuto". Highly irregular: io tengo, tu tieni, lui tiene, noi teniamo, voi tenete, loro tengono. Future: terrò. Passato remoto: tenni. Participio: tenuto. 'Tenere a + infinitive/noun' means 'to care deeply about'.
What does "tenere" mean in English? ▾
In English, "tenere" translates primarily to "to hold / to keep". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "tenere"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Io teno la borsa" instead of "Io tengo la borsa". Why? 1st person singular inserts 'g': io tengo.
What are common idioms or expressions with "tenere"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Tenere d'occhio" which means "To keep an eye on" (e.g. "Puoi tenere d'occhio i bagagli per un momento?").
How can I practice and memorize "tenere" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Other Important Italian Verbs to Study
to be
to have
to do / to make
to go
can / to be able to
to see / watch
to take / catch / have (food)
to stay / be (feeling/health)
to give
to know (facts, how to)
to come
to have to / must
to go out / exit
to drink
to say / to tell
to die
to believe / to trust
to put / to place / to set
to hear / to feel / to smell
to understand / to figure out
to open / to unlock
to read / to interpret
to live / to reside / to experience
to close / to shut
to finish / to end
to think / to ponder
to bring / to carry / to wear (clothes)
to remain / to stay
to like / to please
to go up / to climb / to board
to choose / to select
to ask / to request
to lose / to miss (train/opportunity)
to win / to conquer
to be silent / to keep quiet
to laugh