Italian Phrase
¿Lo tengo?
Meaning
This is a short question used to confirm the possession of a specific item or the comprehension of a concept. The pronoun 'lo' refers to 'it' in a masculine or neuter sense, making it a versatile phrase for checking if you have understood or received something correctly.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are physically checking if you are holding an object someone gave you, or figuratively when you want to confirm you have understood an explanation or instruction.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lotengo
Direct Object Pronoun (Lo)
'Lo' is used to represent 'it' for masculine nouns or abstract concepts that haven't been assigned a gender.
Tener (Tengo)
'Tengo' is the irregular first-person singular present form of the verb 'tener' (to have).
🗨In Conversation
Asegúrate de llevar el pasaporte.
Make sure to take the passport.
¿Lo tengo? Ah, sí, está en mi bolsillo.
Do I have it? Oh, yes, it is in my pocket.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Tengo lo?
In Spanish, direct object pronouns like 'lo' must be placed before the conjugated verb.
¿Lo tiene?
'Tiene' is the third-person form; use 'tengo' when asking about yourself (first-person).
↔Alternatives
¿Ya lo tengo?
Do I have it already?
¿Lo entiendo?
Do I understand it?
¿Lo pillas?
Do you get it? (Informal)
Cultural Tip
Spanish speakers often use intonation alone to turn a statement into a question. While 'Lo tengo' is a common way to say 'I've got it,' adding a rising pitch at the end instantly transforms it into a query. In many regions, 'lo' is the default pronoun used for abstract ideas or unknown objects.