The verb "tener" in Spanish means "to have." It is used to express possession, indicating that someone owns or possesses something. For example, you might say "Tengo un libro," which translates to "I have a book." "Tener" is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow standard patterns. In addition to possession, "tener" is also used to express age and certain physical states or conditions. For instance, "Tengo 20 años" means "I am 20 years old." Similarly, you can say "Tengo hambre," which means "I am hungry." Understanding "tener" is essential for effective communication in Spanish.