A1 Present Tense 16 min read Easy

Expressing Age: I 'Have' Years (Ter + Anos)

In Portuguese, you don't 'be' an age; you 'have' years using the verb 'ter'.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Portuguese, you don't 'be' an age, you 'have' years.

  • Use the verb 'ter' (to have) instead of 'ser' (to be). Example: 'Eu tenho 20 anos.'
  • Always include the word 'anos' (years) at the end. Example: 'Ela tem 30 anos.'
  • The verb 'ter' must match the subject. Example: 'Nós temos 15 anos.'
Subject + Ter (conjugated) + Number + Anos

Overview

Expressing age in Portuguese fundamentally differs from English, reflecting a distinct linguistic conceptualization. While English uses the verb "to be" (e.g., "I am 30 years old"), Portuguese exclusively employs the verb ter (to have). This is not merely a stylistic choice but a core grammatical principle where age is perceived as a possession rather than an inherent state of being.

You do not are your years; you have them. This distinction is crucial for A1 learners, as direct translation from English will result in grammatically incorrect and unnatural phrasing.

This pattern is consistent across all Romance languages and is integral to everyday communication in Portuguese-speaking cultures. From casual introductions to formal contexts, the structure ter + [number] + anos is the only idiomatic way to convey age for individuals, animals, and even inanimate objects. Mastering this concept early will significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension, aligning your linguistic intuition with that of native speakers.

It moves beyond simple vocabulary acquisition to understanding a fundamental aspect of Portuguese thought.

Conjugation Table

Pronoun Conjugation Example Translation Notes
:-------- :---------- :------------------------ :------------------------ :-----------------------------------------
eu tenho Eu tenho 25 anos. I am 25 years old.
tu tens Tu tens 30 anos. You (informal singular) are 30 years old. Predominant in European Portuguese, some parts of Brazil.
você tem Você tem 20 anos. You (formal/informal singular) are 20 years old. Standard in Brazilian Portuguese, often replaces tu in EP.
ele/ela tem Ele tem 40 anos. He/she is 40 years old.
nós temos Nós temos 18 anos. We are 18 years old.
vocês têm Vocês têm 22 anos. You all are 22 years old. Note the circumflex accent for plural.
eles/elas têm Eles têm 50 anos. They are 50 years old. Note the circumflex accent for plural.

How This Grammar Works

The core mechanism for expressing age in Portuguese involves combining the conjugated form of ter, a numerical value, and the noun anos (years). This structure consistently applies regardless of the subject's gender or plurality. The pattern is rigid and allows for very little deviation in formal or semi-formal contexts.
For instance, to state your age, you would use Eu tenho [number] anos. If discussing someone else's age, the appropriate conjugated form of ter is used: Ela tem 35 anos (She is 35 years old). This construction treats "years" as countable units that one possesses, aligning with the literal meaning of ter as "to have." The absence of "to be" verbs (ser or estar) in this context is non-negotiable; their usage for age constitutes a fundamental grammatical error.
Consider the conceptual implication: you acquire years. Each birthday adds another "year-unit" to your collection. This perspective helps in internalizing the ter construction.
It is a possessive statement, not a descriptive one about an inherent quality. This linguistic framing offers a window into how Portuguese structures certain aspects of reality, differing significantly from English.

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing a grammatically correct statement of age in Portuguese follows a straightforward three-part formula. Adhering to these steps ensures accuracy for A1 learners.
2
Select the appropriate present tense conjugation of ter: This depends on the subject pronoun or noun. For example, for "I," use tenho; for "he/she/it/you (singular)," use tem; for "they/you (plural)," use têm.
3
Eu tenho...
4
Minha irmã tem...
5
Meus pais têm...
6
Insert the numerical value of the age: This can be a cardinal number. In formal writing, numbers below ten are often written out (e.g., oito instead of 8), but for age, numerals are commonly accepted even in moderate formality.
7
...vinte e cinco... (twenty-five)
8
...quarenta... (forty)
9
...sete... (seven)
10
Append the plural noun anos: This word, meaning "years," is almost always necessary to complete the expression. Omitting it can lead to ambiguity or sound incomplete in most contexts.
11
...anos.
12
Combining these elements, you form complete sentences such as: Meu irmão tem dezesseis anos (My brother is sixteen years old). The structure remains consistent: Subject + ter + Number + anos.

When To Use It

The ter + [number] + anos construction is universally applied in Portuguese whenever you refer to the age of any subject capable of having an age. This includes people, animals, and even inanimate objects or abstract entities like organizations and countries. Its application is broad and non-negotiable.
  • For people: This is the most common use. You will use it daily to state your own age or inquire about others'.
  • Minha avó tem noventa e dois anos. (My grandmother is ninety-two years old.)
  • Quantos anos tem o seu filho? (How old is your son? / How many years does your son have?)
  • For animals: Pets, wild animals, or even the age of an animal in a story use the same structure.
  • Meu cachorro tem três anos. (My dog is three years old.)
  • O elefante tem quarenta anos. (The elephant is forty years old.)
  • For inanimate objects or abstract entities: Buildings, companies, traditions, or countries also "have" years in Portuguese, denoting their age or duration.
  • Esta casa tem duzentos anos. (This house is two hundred years old.)
  • A empresa tem dez anos de existência. (The company is ten years old / has ten years of existence.)
  • O Brasil tem mais de quinhentos anos. (Brazil is more than five hundred years old.)
In all these instances, the concept of possessing years remains constant. This broad applicability underscores the fundamental nature of this grammatical rule within the Portuguese language. It is not limited to human experience but extends to any entity quantifiable by temporal units of "years."

When Not To Use It

Perhaps even more critical than knowing when to use ter for age is understanding when not to use alternative verbs. For A1 learners, the temptation to translate directly from English "to be" is strong, leading to the incorrect use of ser or estar. In Portuguese, these verbs are strictly forbidden when expressing age.
  • Avoid ser: The verb ser describes permanent characteristics, identity, or essence. Saying Eu sou 25 anos literally translates to "I am the essence of 25 years." This is conceptually absurd to a native speaker and will be understood as a fundamental error, not merely an awkward phrasing. You are a student (Eu sou estudante), but you have years (Eu tenho anos).
  • Avoid estar: The verb estar describes temporary states, conditions, or locations. Saying Eu estou 25 anos would imply a temporary state of being 25 years old, as if you might stop being 25 at any moment not because a birthday passes, but because your state changes. This is equally incorrect and nonsensical in the context of age. You are tired (Eu estou cansado), but you have years (Eu tenho anos).
The only exception where ser might appear in a discussion about age is in a question like Qual é a sua idade? (What is your age?), where idade (age) is a noun, and ser links it to a characteristic. However, the answer to this question will always revert to ter: Minha idade é [number], eu tenho [number] anos.

Common Mistakes

Beginners in Portuguese frequently make several predictable errors when learning to express age. Recognizing these pitfalls and understanding their linguistic basis is key to overcoming them and achieving native-like accuracy.
  1. 1Using ser or estar instead of ter: This is by far the most common and significant error. As explained, Eu sou 25 anos or Eu estou 25 anos are fundamentally incorrect. The conceptual gap between English (being age) and Portuguese (having age) is the primary driver of this mistake. Always default to ter.
  • Incorrect: Minha mãe é quarenta anos.
  • Correct: Minha mãe tem quarenta anos. (My mother is forty years old.)
  1. 1Omitting anos: While in very informal contexts or when context is overwhelmingly clear (e.g., responding to a bouncer asking for ID), you might hear Eu tenho 18, it is generally considered incomplete and potentially ambiguous. For A1 learners, always include anos to ensure clarity and correctness.
  • Ambiguous/Informal: Ele tem vinte.
  • Clear/Correct: Ele tem vinte anos. (He is twenty years old.)
  1. 1Confusing tem and têm: The presence or absence of the circumflex accent distinguishes singular (você/ele/ela tem) from plural (vocês/eles/elas têm). This is a common spelling error even among native speakers in casual online communication, but it is a grammatical mistake in formal writing.
  • Incorrect: Meus amigos tem trinta anos.
  • Correct: Meus amigos têm trinta anos. (My friends are thirty years old.)
  1. 1Direct translation of "old": You should not translate "old" directly with adjectives like velho or idoso when expressing numerical age. Eu sou velho means "I am old," but not in the context of specific years. The phrase ter X anos inherently conveys the concept of being X years of age.
  1. 1Politeness in asking age: While grammatically correct to ask Quantos anos você tem?, it can sometimes be perceived as direct or impolite, similar to English. A more polite alternative, especially for adults you don't know well, is Qual é a sua idade? (What is your age?). This question uses ser because it's asking about the noun idade (age), but the answer still uses ter.
  • Direct: Quantos anos a professora tem?
  • Polite: Qual é a idade da professora?

Memory Trick

To consistently remember to use ter for age, consider the concept of collecting or possessing something tangible. Imagine each year of your life as a small, valuable trophy or a piece of currency. Every birthday, you receive another one. Therefore, you don't are the trophy; you have it.

- Think of your years as possessions. You have a car, you have a dog, and you have years.

- Visualize a dragon hoarding its gold. The dragon has gold. Similarly, you have your years.

- Relate it to other ter expressions for temporary states or feelings, which are also treated as possessions (covered in "Contrast With Similar Patterns"). This creates a consistent mental model: if it's a temporary state or something you can accumulate, you probably have it in Portuguese.

This mental image reinforces the possessive nature of the verb ter and helps disassociate age from the verb ser (to be), which implies a permanent, unchanging identity. The more you connect age to the idea of a measurable, accumulable quantity rather than an intrinsic quality, the more natural the ter + anos construction will become.

Real Conversations

Understanding how this grammar rule functions in authentic dialogue is crucial for practical application. Here are common conversational exchanges you might encounter in Portuguese-speaking environments, demonstrating various contexts and levels of formality.

1. Basic Introduction (Formal/Neutral):

- Speaker A: Olá, sou Ana. Quantos anos você tem? (Hello, I'm Ana. How old are you?)

- Speaker B: Prazer, Ana. Eu tenho vinte e três anos. (Nice to meet you, Ana. I am twenty-three years old.)

2. Informal Chat (Brazilian Portuguese):

- Speaker A: E a Maria, quantos anos ela tem agora? (And Maria, how old is she now?)

- Speaker B: Ah, a Maria? Ela tem trinta anos. Fez aniversário mês passado. (Oh, Maria? She is thirty years old. Her birthday was last month.)

3. Discussing a group (European Portuguese):

- Speaker A: Os vossos filhos já são grandes? Quantos anos eles têm? (Are your children already grown? How old are they?)

- Speaker B: Sim, o mais velho tem quinze e as gémeas têm doze anos. (Yes, the eldest is fifteen and the twins are twelve years old.)

4. Very Informal/Texting (Brazilian Portuguese):

- Friend A: Aniver da Joana! Quantos anos ela faz? (Joana's birthday! How old is she turning?)

- Friend B: Ela faz 28. Juro que pensei que ela tinha 25! (She's turning 28. I swear I thought she was 25!)

- Note the slight difference here: fazer X anos means "to turn X years old," but the statement of current age still uses ter (tinha is past tense of ter).

These examples illustrate that while the core structure remains ter + [number] + anos, the context (formal vs. informal, singular vs. plural) dictates the conjugation of ter and the use of pronouns. In very casual written communication, especially texting, you may see anos omitted, or simply the number provided, but for speaking or more formal writing, the complete structure is expected.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

The use of ter to express age is not an isolated grammatical peculiarity but part of a broader linguistic pattern in Portuguese where various states or conditions, which in English are typically expressed with "to be," are instead treated as possessions. Understanding this larger framework strengthens your grasp of Portuguese logic.
In English, we say "I am hungry," "I am thirsty," "I am cold," or "I am afraid." In Portuguese, these are all expressed with ter, implying that you have these sensations or states:
| English Expression | Portuguese Construction | Literal Portuguese Translation | Meaning |
| :----------------- | :---------------------- | :----------------------------- | :----------------------- |
| I am hungry | Eu tenho fome | I have hunger | I am hungry |
| I am thirsty | Eu tenho sede | I have thirst | I am thirsty |
| I am cold | Eu tenho frio | I have cold | I am cold |\
| I am hot | Eu tenho calor | I have heat | I am hot |\
| I am sleepy | Eu tenho sono | I have sleep | I am sleepy |\
| I am afraid | Eu tenho medo | I have fear | I am afraid |\
| I am lucky | Eu tenho sorte | I have luck | I am lucky |\
| I am in a hurry | Eu tenho pressa | I have hurry | I am in a hurry |\
| I am right | Eu tenho razão | I have reason | I am right |\
This table demonstrates a consistent conceptual shift: many physical sensations, emotional states, or abstract conditions are not inherent qualities (like ser implies) nor temporary attributes (like estar implies) but rather transient possessions one experiences. Age fits perfectly into this paradigm as a quantifiable collection of years you possess. Recognizing this broader pattern helps to internalize the ter for age rule as logical rather than arbitrary, fostering a deeper understanding of Portuguese grammar.

Progressive Practice

1

To solidify your understanding and fluent application of ter for expressing age, engage in a series of progressively more challenging practice activities. Move beyond passive recognition to active production.

2

Listen and Identify: Actively listen to native speakers (podcasts, videos, conversations) and specifically identify instances of ter + anos. Note the conjugation and context.

- Example: Hear Meu avô tem oitenta anos. (My grandfather is eighty years old.)

3

Self-Correction Drills: Practice mentally converting English age statements into Portuguese. Explicitly pause and correct yourself if you instinctively use ser or estar.

- Think: "My sister is 20." -> Mentally correct: Minha irmã tem vinte anos.

4

Personal Statements: Start by consistently stating your own age and the ages of immediate family members, friends, and pets. This builds confidence with familiar subjects.

- Eu tenho trinta e um anos.

- Minha gata tem cinco anos.

5

Inquiring About Others: Practice asking politely about the ages of people you meet (when appropriate) or discussing the ages of public figures, historical events, or even inanimate objects.

- Quantos anos tem o presidente do Brasil? (How old is the president of Brazil?)

- Qual é a idade do Coliseu? (What is the age of the Colosseum?)

6

Written Practice: Write short paragraphs describing people or things, including their age. Pay close attention to the correct tem vs. têm distinction.

- "Minha amiga, Sofia, tem vinte e sete anos. Ela é professora e seus alunos têm entre sete e nove anos." (My friend, Sofia, is twenty-seven years old. She is a teacher and her students are between seven and nine years old.)

By engaging in these varied practice methods, you move from simply knowing the rule to internalizing it, making its application intuitive and automatic in real-time communication.

Quick FAQ

This section addresses common specific questions that arise when learning to express age in Portuguese, providing concise and authoritative answers.
  • Q: Do I always have to say anos?
  • A: In most formal and semi-formal contexts, yes, anos is necessary for clarity and grammatical completeness. In extremely casual speech or texting, if the context is absolutely unambiguous (e.g., replying to a direct age query), it might be omitted, but this is not recommended for learners.
  • Q: What if someone is not yet a year old?
  • A: For ages under one year, you use meses (months). The structure remains the same: O bebê tem seis meses. (The baby is six months old.)
  • Q: How do I ask someone's age politely?
  • A: While Quantos anos você tem? is grammatically correct, Qual é a sua idade? (What is your age?) is generally considered a more polite and softer way to ask, especially for adults you don't know well. The answer, however, will always use ter.
  • Q: Is there a difference between Brazilian and European Portuguese here?
  • A: The fundamental grammatical rule of ter + [number] + anos is identical in both variants. The main difference lies in pronoun usage: European Portuguese more frequently uses tu tens, while Brazilian Portuguese almost exclusively uses você tem (even in informal contexts where tu might be used in EP).
  • Q: Why does têm have a circumflex accent?
  • A: The circumflex accent on têm serves to visually distinguish the third-person plural form (they/you all) from the third-person singular form tem (he/she/you singular) in writing. This orthographic rule prevents ambiguity in written communication.
  • Q: Can ter be used for the age of inanimate objects or concepts?
  • A: Absolutely. The rule applies broadly. You can say A catedral tem quinhentos anos (The cathedral is five hundred years old) or Nossa amizade tem dez anos (Our friendship is ten years old).
  • Q: Is it rude to ask age in Portuguese-speaking cultures?
  • A: This depends on the context and relationship, similar to English. It's generally fine to ask friends or peers. Exercise caution with older individuals or in very formal settings where such questions might be seen as intrusive. Starting with Qual é a sua idade? is often a safer approach.

Conjugation of 'Ter' (Present Tense)

Pronoun Conjugation Meaning
Eu
tenho
I have
Você/Ele/Ela
tem
You/He/She has
Nós
temos
We have
Vocês/Eles/Elas
têm
They have

Meanings

The construction used to express biological age in Portuguese, utilizing the verb 'ter' (to have).

1

Biological Age

Stating how many years a person or thing has existed.

“Eu tenho 20 anos.”

“O meu irmão tem 10 anos.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Age: I 'Have' Years (Ter + Anos)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + ter + # + anos
Eu tenho 20 anos.
Negative
Subject + não + ter + # + anos
Eu não tenho 20 anos.
Question
Quantos anos + ter + Subject?
Quantos anos você tem?
Short Answer
Tenho + # + anos
Tenho 20.
Plural
Eles + têm + # + anos
Eles têm 30 anos.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Qual é a sua idade?

Qual é a sua idade? (Meeting someone)

Neutral
Quantos anos você tem?

Quantos anos você tem? (Meeting someone)

Informal
Quantos anos você tem?

Quantos anos você tem? (Meeting someone)

Slang
Quantos anos?

Quantos anos? (Meeting someone)

Age Expression Map

Ter (to have)

Subject

  • Eu I
  • Você You

Object

  • 20 20
  • anos years
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Examples by Level

1

Eu tenho 20 anos.

I am 20 years old.

2

Ela tem 5 anos.

She is 5 years old.

3

Quantos anos você tem?

How old are you?

4

Nós temos 30 anos.

We are 30 years old.

1

O meu carro tem 10 anos.

My car is 10 years old.

2

Eles têm 40 anos de casados.

They have been married for 40 years.

3

Você tem quantos anos?

How old are you?

4

Não tenho 20 anos ainda.

I am not 20 years old yet.

1

A empresa tem 50 anos de história.

The company has 50 years of history.

2

Eles têm 18 anos e já trabalham.

They are 18 years old and already work.

3

Quantos anos tem este monumento?

How old is this monument?

4

Eu tenho 25 anos, e você?

I am 25, and you?

1

Embora tenha 80 anos, ele corre todos os dias.

Although he is 80, he runs every day.

2

Dizem que o edifício tem mais de 100 anos.

They say the building is over 100 years old.

3

Ela tem a idade que eu tinha há dez anos.

She is the age I was ten years ago.

4

Não importa quantos anos você tem.

It doesn't matter how old you are.

1

O projeto tem 5 anos de execução.

The project has 5 years of execution.

2

Tendo 30 anos de carreira, ele sabe tudo.

Having 30 years of career, he knows everything.

3

Quantos anos tem a civilização maia?

How old is the Mayan civilization?

4

Eles têm 20 anos de amizade.

They have 20 years of friendship.

1

A instituição, que tem 200 anos, foi reformada.

The institution, which is 200 years old, was renovated.

2

Por mais que tenha 90 anos, sua mente é ágil.

Even though he is 90, his mind is agile.

3

Quantos anos tem o universo, segundo a ciência?

How old is the universe, according to science?

4

Eles têm 50 anos de casados, uma marca rara.

They have been married for 50 years, a rare milestone.

Easily Confused

Expressing Age: I 'Have' Years (Ter + Anos) vs Ter vs. Ser

Learners often use 'ser' because English uses 'to be'.

Expressing Age: I 'Have' Years (Ter + Anos) vs Tem vs. Têm

Learners forget the accent for plural subjects.

Expressing Age: I 'Have' Years (Ter + Anos) vs Anos vs. Idade

Learners try to use 'idade' with the verb 'ter'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu sou 20 anos.

✓

Eu tenho 20 anos.

Using 'ser' (to be) instead of 'ter' (to have).
✗

Eu tenho 20.

✓

Eu tenho 20 anos.

Omitting 'anos'.
✗

Eu tem 20 anos.

✓

Eu tenho 20 anos.

Incorrect conjugation.
✗

Quantos anos você é?

✓

Quantos anos você tem?

Using 'ser' in a question.
✗

Eles tem 20 anos.

✓

Eles têm 20 anos.

Missing the circumflex accent on 'têm'.
✗

Nós tem 20 anos.

✓

Nós temos 20 anos.

Incorrect plural conjugation.
✗

Qual é a sua idade? Eu sou 20.

✓

Qual é a sua idade? Eu tenho 20 anos.

Mixing structures.
✗

O prédio tem 50.

✓

O prédio tem 50 anos.

Omitting 'anos' in formal contexts.
✗

Eles têm 20 anos de idade.

✓

Eles têm 20 anos.

Redundancy (though not strictly wrong, 'de idade' is often unnecessary).
✗

Ela tem 20 anos de idade.

✓

Ela tem 20 anos.

Redundancy.
✗

Tendo 20 anos, ele é jovem.

✓

Com 20 anos, ele é jovem.

Misuse of gerund for age.
✗

A idade dele é 20 anos.

✓

Ele tem 20 anos.

Using 'idade' instead of the verb 'ter'.
✗

Ele possui 20 anos.

✓

Ele tem 20 anos.

Using 'possuir' for age (too formal/unnatural).

Sentence Patterns

Eu tenho ___ anos.

Meu irmão tem ___ anos.

Quantos anos ___ você tem?

Eles têm ___ anos de casados.

Real World Usage

Social Media Profile constant

Tenho 25 anos.

Job Interview very common

Tenho 30 anos de experiência.

Doctor's Office common

Quantos anos o paciente tem?

Dating App common

Tenho 28 anos.

School Enrollment common

O aluno tem 7 anos.

Ordering a drink occasional

Tenho mais de 18 anos.

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💡

Don't translate literally

Stop thinking 'I am'. Start thinking 'I have'.
⚠️

Watch the accent

Remember 'têm' for plural. It's a common writing mistake.
🎯

Use it everywhere

Practice saying your age out loud every day.
💬

Be polite

In formal settings, use 'Qual é a sua idade?' instead of 'Quantos anos você tem?'.

Smart Tips

Always add 'anos' at the end.

Eu tenho 20. → Eu tenho 20 anos.

Use the plural 'têm' with the circumflex accent.

Eles tem 20 anos. → Eles têm 20 anos.

Use 'Qual é a sua idade?'

Quantos anos você tem? → Qual é a sua idade?

Use 'ter' just like you do for people.

O prédio é 50 anos. → O prédio tem 50 anos.

Pronunciation

/ˈɐ̃.nus/

Nasalization

The 'ão' in 'anos' is nasal. Practice by humming through your nose.

Question intonation

Quantos anos você tem? ↗

Rising pitch at the end for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your age as a treasure you 'have' in your pocket.

Visual Association

Imagine holding a birthday cake with candles. You aren't the cake; you possess the years represented by the candles.

Rhyme

To say how old you are today, use 'ter' and not 'ser', okay?

Story

Maria is at a party. She meets a boy. She asks, 'Quantos anos você tem?' He smiles and says, 'Eu tenho 25 anos.' They become friends.

Word Web

anostertenhotemtemostêmquantos

Challenge

Write down the ages of 5 family members using the 'ter' structure.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'você' is the standard pronoun. 'Tu' is used in some regions but 'tem' remains the same.

In Portugal, 'tu' is very common among friends and uses 'tens'.

In formal settings, asking 'Qual é a sua idade?' is preferred over 'Quantos anos você tem?'.

Comes from Latin 'habere', meaning to have or hold.

Conversation Starters

“

Quantos anos você tem?

“

Quantos anos tem o seu melhor amigo?

“

Qual é a idade da sua mãe?

“

Você acha que a idade importa?

Journal Prompts

Write about your family members and their ages.
Describe a famous person and how old they are.
Write a short story about a character who lies about their age.
Discuss the importance of age in your culture.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'ter'.

Eu ___ 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu requires 'tenho'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Must use 'ter' and 'anos'.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eles tem 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles têm 20 anos.
Plural 'têm' needs an accent.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Standard word order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

She is 10 years old.

Answer starts with: Ela...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela tem 10 anos.
Use 'ter' + 'anos'.
Conjugate 'ter' for 'Nós'. Conjugation Drill

Nós ___ 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: temos
Nós uses 'temos'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Quantos anos você tem? B: ___ 25 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tenho
First person singular.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho, têm, temos
Correct conjugations.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'ter'.

Eu ___ 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu requires 'tenho'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Must use 'ter' and 'anos'.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eles tem 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles têm 20 anos.
Plural 'têm' needs an accent.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

anos / 20 / tenho / Eu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Standard word order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

She is 10 years old.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela tem 10 anos.
Use 'ter' + 'anos'.
Conjugate 'ter' for 'Nós'. Conjugation Drill

Nós ___ 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: temos
Nós uses 'temos'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Quantos anos você tem? B: ___ 25 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tenho
First person singular.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match: Eu, Eles, Nós

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho, têm, temos
Correct conjugations.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Complete the question Fill in the Blank

Quantos ___ você tem?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: anos
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Eles tem 15 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles têm 15 anos.
Reorder to form a correct sentence Sentence Reorder

anos / tem / vinte / ele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ele tem vinte anos
Translate to Portuguese Translation

I am 18 years old.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 18 anos.
Which is the correct way to ask an age? Multiple Choice

Select the proper question format:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quantos anos você tem?
Match the pronoun to the correct verb form for age Match Pairs

Match the items

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["tenho","tem","temos","t\u00eam"]
Fill in the blank with the correct plural verb Fill in the Blank

Minhas irmãs ___ 12 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: têm
Form a valid question Sentence Reorder

você / anos / tem / quantos / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quantos anos você tem
Correct the verb Error Correction

Eu tenho 30 ano.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 30 anos.
Translate the sentence Translation

My father is 50.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Meu pai tem 50 anos.
Fill in the blank for 'You (informal PT)' Fill in the Blank

Tu ___ dezoito anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tens

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

It is common in casual speech, but 'Eu tenho 20 anos' is always correct.

It marks the plural form to distinguish it from the singular 'tem'.

Yes, for biological age, 'ter' is the only correct verb.

You can say 'Eu tenho muitos anos' (I have many years), but that is rare.

Yes, buildings, cars, and projects all use 'ter'.

No, never use 'ser' for age.

Use 'Qual é a sua idade?'

Yes, it becomes 'tive' or 'tinha', but that is a different lesson.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener X años

Pronunciation of 'años' vs 'anos'.

French high

Avoir X ans

French uses 'ans' instead of 'anos'.

German low

X Jahre alt sein

German uses 'to be' + 'old', while Portuguese uses 'to have' + 'years'.

Japanese none

X 歳です (X-sai desu)

Japanese does not use a verb like 'have' for age.

Arabic low

عمره X سنة (Umruhu X sana)

Arabic uses a noun-based structure.

Chinese none

我 X 岁 (Wǒ X suì)

Chinese does not use a verb for age.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Telling Time in Portuguese: Is it É or São?
Next
Hunger and Thirst: Using the Verb 'Ter'

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)

Overview In Portuguese, the verb `ter` is foundational, much like "to have" in English. However, its usage extends signi...

Related Grammar Rules

A1

Portuguese -ER Verbs: The Present Tense (comer, beber)

Overview Portuguese regular verbs are categorized into three groups based on their infinitive endings: `-ar`, `-er`, and...
A1

Portuguese Verb SER: Who You Are (to be - permanent)

Overview The Portuguese verb `ser` is one of two fundamental verbs translating to 'to be' in English. It describes **inh...
A1

Present Tense: Regular -IR Verbs (Opening & Deciding)

Overview The Portuguese language organizes its verbs into three primary conjugations: those ending in `-ar`, `-er`, and...
A1

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)

Overview In Portuguese, the verb `ter` is foundational, much like "to have" in English. However, its usage extends signi...
A1

The Verb 'Fazer': To Do and To Make

Overview The Portuguese verb `fazer` is a fundamental and highly versatile verb, serving as the equivalent of both "to d...
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