Não tenho.

Use Não tenho when you are asked if you possess something. For example, if someone asks Você tem dinheiro? (Do you have money?), you’d reply Não tenho. You can also use it for skills or knowledge. Someone might ask Você fala alemão? (Do you speak German?), and you can say Não tenho. It's also great for expressing unavailability. If asked Você tem tempo agora? (Do you have time now?), Não tenho works perfectly. It's your universal 'nope, not got it' signal. It's like a polite digital 'out of office' reply for your personal inventory.

Não tenho is incredibly flexible. You can use it in almost any situation, from a casual chat with friends to a more formal business meeting. It's neutral enough not to sound rude or overly casual. In a very formal setting, you might add a bit more politeness, like Infelizmente, não tenho (Unfortunately, I don't have). But on its own, Não tenho is perfectly acceptable. It's the Swiss Army knife of Portuguese expressions – it just works!

• Texting a friend: "Você pode me emprestar R$50?" "Ah, desculpa, não tenho agora." (Can you lend me R$50? Ah, sorry, I don't have it now.)
• Ordering food: "Você quer batatas fritas com isso?" "Não tenho certeza, talvez só a salada." (Do you want fries with that? I'm not sure, maybe just the salad. *Note: Here it implies 'I don't have a preference' or 'I don't have a strong desire for fries'.*)
• At the doctor's office: "Você sente dor aqui?" "Não tenho dor, doutor." (Do you feel pain here? I don't have pain, doctor.)
• Job interview (Zoom call): "Você tem experiência com este software?" "Não tenho experiência direta, mas aprendo rápido." (Do you have experience with this software? I don't have direct experience, but I learn quickly.)
• Social media comment: Someone asks where you got a cool item. "Onde você comprou essa bolsa?" "Não tenho ideia, foi um presente!" (Where did you buy this bag? I have no idea, it was a gift!)

Use Não tenho when someone asks about possession: Você tem chaves? (Do you have keys?). Use it for skills: Você tem paciência? (Do you have patience?). Use it for information: Você tem o número dele? (Do you have his number?). Use it when you want to be clear and concise about lacking something. It’s the direct answer, like hitting 'Ctrl+F' and finding 'not found'. Perfect for when you want to avoid ambiguity.

Avoid using Não tenho if you *do* have something, obviously! Also, don't use it if you want to be overly polite or evasive in a very formal context where a softer refusal is needed. For example, if a close friend asks to borrow something you don't want to lend, you might say something gentler like, "Puxa, eu queria poder te ajudar, mas..." (Gosh, I wish I could help you, but...). Não tenho can sometimes sound a bit blunt if not delivered with the right tone. It's not exactly rude, but it's not a velvet glove either.

Learners sometimes confuse Não tenho with Não há (There isn't/aren't) or Não é (It isn't). Remember, Não tenho is always about *your* possession or lack thereof.

It's like mixing up 'my bad' with 'there's no bad'. Same letters, different universe!

• Não tenho nada: "I have nothing." This is a stronger version, emphasizing complete lack. "Não tenho nada para te oferecer." (I have nothing to offer you.)
• Não tenho a menor ideia: "I have no idea." Used specifically for lack of knowledge. "Não tenho a menor ideia de onde ele foi." (I have no idea where he went.)
• Tô sem: Very informal, common in Brazil. Literally means "I'm without." "Tô sem grana." (I'm broke/without money.)
• Não possuo: More formal, often used in writing or very formal speech. "Não possuo os documentos necessários." (I do not possess the necessary documents.)

• What's the quickest way to say 'I don't have'?

Não tenho is the fastest and most common way.

• Can I use it for abstract things?

Yes! Like 'I don't have patience' (Não tenho paciência).

• Is it rude?

Generally no, but tone matters. Avoid it if extreme politeness is needed.