Spanish Phrase
Ten a mano un número de teléfono alternativo.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to keep an alternative phone number close at hand, so it can be accessed quickly if needed. It’s a practical reminder often used in personal or professional contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re advising a friend, colleague, or family member to have a backup contact number ready—e.g., before traveling, during a project, or when setting up emergency contacts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenamanounnúmerodeteléfonoalternativo
Imperative of Tener
‘Ten’ is the informal second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘tener’, used to give a direct command.
a mano (idiom)
The phrase ‘a mano’ literally means ‘in the hand’, but idiomatically it means ‘handy’ or ‘within reach’.
Adjective placement
In Spanish, most adjectives (like ‘alternativo’) can appear after the noun they modify, especially when the meaning is neutral.
🗨In Conversation
¿Ya guardaste el número de la oficina?
Did you already save the office number?
Sí, pero también ten a mano un número de teléfono alternativo por si hay problemas con la línea principal.
Yes, but also keep an alternative phone number handy in case there are problems with the main line.
✕Common Mistakes
Tienes a mano un número de teléfono alternativo.
‘Tienes’ is the present indicative; the command needs the imperative ‘Ten’.
Ten en mano un número de teléfono alternativo.
The idiomatic expression is ‘a mano’, not ‘en mano’.
Ten a mano un alternativo número de teléfono.
Adjectives usually follow the noun in this neutral context; ‘número alternativo’ is preferred.
↔Alternatives
Mantén a mano un número de teléfono alternativo.
Keep an alternative phone number handy.
Ten a la mano un número de teléfono alternativo.
Have an alternative phone number at hand.
Ten un número de teléfono alternativo a mano.
Have an alternative phone number within reach.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it’s common to exchange several contact numbers—personal, work, and emergency. The idiom ‘a mano’ is informal but widely accepted in everyday conversation, making the phrase perfect for casual advice or quick reminders.