(b) When used with a predicate adjective indicating mental or physical state, to be is translated by tener, the adjective changing to a noun of corresponding meaning.
The commonest of these expressions are to be hungry, thirsty, hot, cold, sleepy, afraid, right, careful, jealous, which are rendered tener hambre, sed, calor, frío, sueño, miedo, razón, cuidado, celos.
Uncle is right. That can't hurt him.
Tiene razón el tío. Eso no puede hacerle mal.—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
While I am so cold I don't want to go out.
Mientras tengo tanto frío no quiero salir.
I wasn't hungry but I was very sleepy.
No tenía hambre pero tenía mucho sueño.
Note.—In all similar expressions so is rendered tanto. Cf. note to (a) above.
(c) Many phrases consisting of the verb to be and an adjective denoting age or dimension are translated by tener and a noun. Such are to be old, wide, long, high, etc., rendered tener edad, anchura, longitud, altitud. Note also to be to blame, one's fault, tener la culpa; to be successful, tener éxito.