A1 Present Tense 19 min read Easy

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)

In casual Brazilian Portuguese, use tem to say 'there is' or 'there are' to sound like a local.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, use 'ter' instead of 'haver' to say 'there is' or 'there are'.

  • Use 'tem' for both singular and plural: 'Tem um gato' (There is a cat).
  • Use 'tem' for both singular and plural: 'Tem dois gatos' (There are two cats).
  • Never conjugate 'ter' for the plural when it means 'there is': 'Tem pessoas aqui' (not 'Têm').
Tem + [Noun] = There is/are [Noun]

Overview

In Portuguese, the verb ter fundamentally means “to have.” You employ it to denote possession, as in Eu tenho um livro (I have a book). However, within the realm of informal, spoken Brazilian Portuguese, ter acquires a critical secondary function: expressing “there is” or “there are.” This usage predominantly supplants the more formal haver—a verb that also conveys existence but is infrequently encountered in everyday Brazilian conversation. Grasping this distinction is paramount for achieving natural speech and full comprehension in Brazil.

This colloquial application of tem (the third-person singular form of ter) to signify existence is a hallmark of Brazilian Portuguese. While formal grammatical conventions prescribe há (derived from haver), native speakers overwhelmingly favor tem for both singular and plural expressions of “there is/are.” For instance, instead of Há café? (Is there coffee?), the common query is Tem café? This linguistic evolution underscores a broader preference for directness and economy in informal communication.

This rule focuses on the impersonal use of tem, where it does not refer to a specific subject but rather indicates the presence or existence of something in a general sense. Mastery of this usage is essential even at the A1 level, as it is pervasive in daily interactions.

Conjugation Table

Person Conjugation of ter (to have) Example (to have) Translation
:----------------------- :------------------------------- :------------------------------- :-----------------------------
Eu (I) tenho Eu tenho um carro. I have a car.
Tu (You, informal) tens Tu tens um irmão. You have a brother.
Ele/Ela/Você (He/She/You, formal) tem Ele tem um celular. He has a cellphone.
Nós (We) temos Nós temos uma casa. We have a house.
Vós (You, plural, informal) tendes Vós tendes amigos. You have friends.
Eles/Elas/Vocês (They/You, plural, formal) têm Eles têm problemas. They have problems.

How This Grammar Works

This informal use of tem for “there is/are” stems from a deep-seated linguistic process known as semantic reanalysis. Historically, the primary meaning of ter was “to hold” or “to possess.” Over centuries, its semantic scope expanded. When ter is used impersonally, as in Tem café?, its conceptual role shifts from indicating possession by a specific entity to signaling the presence, availability, or existence of something within a broader, often unstated context.
Consider the phrase Tem café na cozinha. This can be implicitly understood as “[The kitchen] has coffee,” or, more abstractly, “Coffee exists/is available in the kitchen.” The linguistic mechanism at play is a reinterpretation of ter from a transitive verb requiring a possessor to an impersonal verb denoting occurrence. The “thing” that exists then functions as the direct object of the verb, not its subject, which is why tem remains singular.
This impersonal construction explains why tem does not conjugate to agree with the number of the noun it introduces. Unlike typical verbs where the verb form changes based on a singular or plural subject, impersonal tem has no grammatical subject. It functions similarly to the grammatical placeholder “there” in English sentences like “There is a book” or “There are many books.” The focus is on the act of being present rather than on who or what possesses that presence.
For instance, in Tem muitas pessoas aqui (There are many people here), muitas pessoas is not the grammatical subject governing tem. Instead, tem itself carries the impersonal meaning of existence, and muitas pessoas is the direct object—the thing that is found to be present. This syntactic structure allows for a highly efficient and common expression of existence in everyday Brazilian Portuguese, prioritizing the observation of presence over grammatical concord with the existent item.

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing sentences with impersonal tem for “there is/are” is remarkably consistent because the verb form never changes. The core principle is to simply place tem before the noun or noun phrase that describes what is present or available. This simplifies sentence creation significantly for learners.
2
1. Affirmative Statements:
3
Simply use tem followed by the noun phrase. This is the most common and direct way to state that something exists.
4
Tem um livro na mesa. (There is a book on the table.)
5
Tem muitos alunos na sala. (There are many students in the classroom.)
6
Tem pão na padaria. (There is bread at the bakery.)
7
Tem um novo filme no cinema. (There's a new movie at the cinema.)
8
2. Negative Statements:
9
To negate the existence, place the negation particle não directly before tem. This clearly indicates the absence of something.
10
Não tem água fria. (There isn't cold water.)
11
Não tem ninguém aqui. (There is nobody here.)
12
Não tem mais vagas. (There are no more spots/vacancies.)
13
Não tem Wi-Fi neste café. (There isn't Wi-Fi in this café.)
14
3. Interrogative (Questions):
15
Questions are formed by placing tem at the beginning of the sentence, often accompanied by a rising intonation in speech, or by preceding it with a question word (quem, o que, onde, quando, quantos, qual).
16
Tem internet aqui? (Is there internet here?)
17
O que tem para comer? (What is there to eat?)
18
Quantos carros tem no estacionamento? (How many cars are there in the parking lot?)
19
Tem alguma pergunta? (Is there any question?)
20
Summary Table of Patterns:
21
| Type | Structure | Example (Portuguese) | Example (English) |
22
|:--------------|:-------------------------------|:----------------------------|:----------------------------|
23
| Affirmative | Tem + [Noun Phrase] | Tem um problema. | There is a problem. |
24
| Negative | Não tem + [Noun Phrase] | Não tem solução. | There is no solution. |
25
| Interrogative | Tem + [Noun Phrase]? | Tem alguma dúvida? | Is there any doubt? |
26
| Interrogative | [Question Word] + tem + [Noun Phrase]? | Onde tem um banheiro? | Where is there a bathroom? |
27
Key Rule: Always remember that tem remains singular regardless of whether the noun phrase describing the existing item(s) is singular or plural. This unvarying form is one of the features that simplifies its usage for expressing existence in colloquial Portuguese.

When To Use It

The informal tem for “there is/are” is the default and most natural choice in nearly all casual and everyday contexts within Brazil. Employing it correctly is fundamental for sounding like a native speaker and engaging authentically in contemporary conversations. Its ubiquitous presence reflects the informal and dynamic character of spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
  • Daily Conversations: Use tem when discussing presence, availability, or existence in person, over the phone, or via digital calls. This encompasses inquiries about items, descriptions of scenes, or questions regarding existing situations.
  • Tem arroz e feijão no almoço? (Is there rice and beans for lunch?)
  • Amanhã tem sol. (Tomorrow there will be sun.)
  • Tem muito trânsito hoje. (There's a lot of traffic today.)
  • Tem um mercado bom perto daqui. (There's a good market near here.)
  • Informal Written Communication: Tem is the accepted standard for written exchanges that mirror spoken language. This applies to messages with friends, social media captions, informal emails, and online chats.
  • Text message: Tem festa hoje? (Is there a party today?)
  • Social media comment: Não tem desculpa. (There's no excuse.)
  • Chat message: Tem café, tem amor. (There's coffee, there's love.)
  • Informal email: Tem como me ajudar com isso? (Is there a way you can help me with this?)
  • Public Announcements and Signage (Informal): While highly official signs might use há, many informal public notices or verbal announcements—especially those aimed at a general audience or in casual settings—utilize tem for clear and direct communication.
  • Tem promoção na loja. (There's a promotion at the store.)
  • Atenção, tem fila. (Attention, there's a line.)
  • Tem ônibus passando a cada 10 minutos. (There's a bus passing every 10 minutes.)
This usage extends to virtually any situation where English would naturally employ “there is/are” in an informal register. It conveys a sense of naturalness and ease, signaling your comfort with the rhythms of modern Portuguese.

When Not To Use It

While the existential tem is pervasive in informal Brazilian Portuguese, there are specific contexts where its use is inappropriate or less preferred. Understanding these situations helps maintain formality and adherence to established norms.
  • Formal Written Contexts: In academic papers, official reports, legal documents, formal journalism, and classic literature, the verb haver (in its impersonal form há) is the grammatically preferred choice for expressing “there is/are.” Using tem in these settings would be considered overly colloquial and unprofessional.
  • Formal: Há dados que comprovam essa teoria. (There are data that prove this theory.)
  • Informal (avoid in formal writing): Tem dados que comprovam essa teoria.
  • European Portuguese: In European Portuguese, while ter can occasionally be heard in existential contexts, haver (há) is much more commonly used and considered standard for “there is/are.” Furthermore, estar is also frequently used to express existence or location in a more definite sense. Learners focusing on European Portuguese should prioritize há.
  • Brazilian Portuguese (common): Tem um restaurante bom aqui. (There's a good restaurant here.)
  • European Portuguese (common): Há um restaurante bom aqui. or Está um restaurante bom aqui.
  • Highly Formal Speeches or Presentations: In settings demanding a very elevated register, such as a formal address to dignitaries or a scholarly presentation, há is typically employed to convey a more refined and educated tone.
  • When Expressing Obligation (using haver de): Although less common, haver de is a formal way to express obligation (e.g., Hei de ir – I must go). Ter cannot substitute haver in this specific, older construction.
In essence, if you are unsure whether a context is sufficiently informal for tem, or if you are aiming for a neutral or formal tone, default to há. However, for most day-to-day interactions in Brazil, tem is the safer and more natural choice.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently make specific errors when attempting to use tem for “there is/are.” Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying reasons is crucial for developing accurate and native-like proficiency.
  • Using Other Conjugations of ter for Existence: The most common mistake is to try and make tem agree with the number of the item(s) existing. For example, using *têm (plural form of ter) for plural nouns.
  • Incorrect: *Têm dois carros na rua. (Attempting to pluralize tem for dois carros)
  • Correct: Tem dois carros na rua. (The impersonal tem remains singular.)
  • Why it's wrong: Impersonal tem has no grammatical subject, therefore it does not change its form. Only the ele/ela/você form (tem) is used.
  • Confusing Impersonal tem with Possessive tem: While both use the form tem, their roles are distinct. The possessive tem has a clear subject (Ele tem um carro), whereas the existential tem does not.
  • Ele tem um irmão. (He has a brother – possessive ter)
  • Tem um irmão na sala. (There is a brother in the room – existential tem)
  • Mistake: Misinterpreting an existential tem as implying a hidden subject when none exists in the sentence's structure.
  • Overusing há in Informal Brazilian Portuguese: While há is grammatically correct for “there is/are,” using it extensively in casual Brazilian conversations can sound overly formal, stiff, or even unnatural to native ears. This indicates a textbook-driven learning rather than immersion in spoken language.
  • Less natural (in BP casual chat): Há muitos problemas com o novo sistema.
  • More natural (in BP casual chat): Tem muitos problemas com o novo sistema.
  • Confusing tem (existence) with está (location/state): Both can indicate presence, but their nuances differ. Tem refers to general existence/availability, while estar refers to the specific, temporary location or state of a particular item.
  • Tem café na cozinha. (There is coffee in the kitchen – general availability)
  • O café está na cozinha. (The coffee is in the kitchen – specific location of the coffee)
  • Mistake: Using *Está café na cozinha. for general availability, as estar requires a definite subject.
  • Adding Articles Incorrectly: In some cases, learners might omit or add articles where they shouldn't, especially with uncountable nouns. When tem introduces an uncountable noun, articles are often omitted unless specific quantity or type is implied.
  • Tem água? (Is there water?)
  • Tem a água. (This implies a specific water, which is less common for general existence.)

Memory Trick

To solidify your understanding of tem for “there is/are,” especially remembering its invariant singular form, try this mental association:

Think of the existential tem as functioning like a “scanner” or “detector.” This scanner simply reports “presence detected” or “presence not detected.” The scanner itself doesn't change based on what it detects, just that something is there (or not).

- Tem um livro. (Scanner detects: presence of one book.)

- Tem dois livros. (Scanner detects: presence of two books.)

- Não tem nada. (Scanner detects: no presence.)

The “scanner” (tem) always remains singular because it represents the impersonal act of detecting existence, not the quantity of the detected items. It’s like a fixed sensor that simply signals “yes, something exists here” or “no, nothing exists here,” irrespective of how many somethings.

Real Conversations

Observe how tem is naturally integrated into various conversational contexts in Brazilian Portuguese. These examples reflect modern, everyday usage:

- In a café (ordering/asking about availability):

- Você: Bom dia! Tem pão de queijo fresquinho hoje? (Good morning! Is there fresh cheese bread today?)

- Atendente: Tem sim, e também tem bolo de fubá. (Yes, there is, and there's also cornmeal cake.)

- Making plans with friends (text message):

- Amigo 1: E aí, tem alguma coisa pra fazer sábado à noite? (Hey, is there anything to do Saturday night?)

- Amigo 2: Tem um show legal no centro, ou a gente pode ir no bar que tem música ao vivo. (There's a cool concert downtown, or we can go to the bar that has live music.)

- In a shop (asking for help):

- Você: Com licença, tem alguém que possa me ajudar com essa camisa? (Excuse me, is there anyone who can help me with this shirt?)

- Vendedor: Tem sim, só um minuto que eu chamo. (Yes, there is, just a minute, I'll call someone.)

- Describing a situation:

- Tá chovendo muito, e tem muito trânsito na Marginal. (It’s raining a lot, and there's a lot of traffic on Marginal [expressway].)

- Tem um problema sério que precisamos resolver logo. (There’s a serious problem we need to solve soon.)

- Quick inquiries:

- Tem como fazer isso online? (Is there a way to do this online?)

- Tem lugar pra sentar? (Is there a place to sit?)

These examples illustrate tem as the ubiquitous, natural choice for expressing existence or availability across diverse informal scenarios in Brazilian Portuguese. It is fluid, direct, and avoids any sense of excessive formality.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Understanding ter for “there is/are” becomes clearer when contrasted with other verbs and structures that express similar concepts but with distinct nuances or usage contexts.
  • Ter (existential) vs. Haver (existential):
  • Tem: The colloquial, informal, and predominant choice in Brazilian Portuguese for “there is/are.” It is an impersonal construction, always singular. Used in virtually all spoken and informal written contexts in Brazil.
  • Tem muita gente aqui. (There are many people here.)
  • Há: The formal, grammatically prescriptive choice for “there is/are,” derived from haver. It is also impersonal and singular. More common in formal writing, official documents, and European Portuguese.
  • Há muitas pessoas neste evento. (There are many people at this event.)
  • Key Difference: In Brazil, the choice between tem and há is primarily a register distinction (informal vs. formal). In Portugal, há is standard across many registers, making tem less frequent for this meaning.
  • Ter (existential) vs. Estar (to be – location/state):
  • Tem: Expresses the general existence or availability of something. It doesn't imply a specific item, but rather that an item of a certain type or some quantity of an item is present.
  • Tem pão na mesa. (There is bread on the table – any bread, general availability.)
  • Estar: Used to indicate the specific, temporary location or state of a definite subject. It answers the question “where is X?” when X is already defined.
  • O pão está na mesa. (The bread is on the table – referring to a specific loaf of bread.)
  • Contrast: Tem café na cozinha (There's coffee in the kitchen – general coffee, some coffee) vs. O café está na cozinha (The coffee is in the kitchen – the coffee you're looking for).
  • Ter (existential) vs. Ser (to be – inherent quality/identity):\ * Tem: Deals with existence, presence, or availability.
  • Ser: Defines inherent qualities, identity, permanent characteristics, or classifications.
  • Tem um problema. (There is a problem – existence of a problem.)
  • Isso é um problema. (This is a problem – defining something as a problem.)
  • Key: Never use ser to mean “there is/are.” Ser requires a definite subject that it describes.
  • Ter (existential) vs. Ter (possessive):\
  • Tem (existential): No explicit subject. Indicates general presence. Tem café. (There is coffee.)\
  • Tem (possessive): Always has an explicit (or implied) subject. Indicates ownership. Ele tem café. (He has coffee.)\
  • Warning: While the form tem is identical, the grammatical function and meaning are distinct. Context always clarifies.

Progressive Practice

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Mastering the colloquial use of tem requires active engagement. Integrate these progressive practice techniques into your study routine to internalize the pattern effectively:

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- Observation and Listening: Start by actively listening for tem in Portuguese media (Brazilian films, TV shows, podcasts, YouTube channels). Pay attention to the context and what tem introduces. Note down examples you hear.

3

- Sentence Transformation (Singular to Plural): Take simple sentences using tem with a singular noun and change the noun to plural, ensuring tem remains singular. This reinforces the impersonal nature.

4

- Tem um gato aqui. -> Tem dois gatos aqui.

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- Tem uma caneta na bolsa. -> Tem várias canetas na bolsa.

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- Sentence Transformation (há to tem): Find formal sentences using há for existence (e.g., in news articles) and rewrite them using tem. Practice adapting the register.

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- Há muitas oportunidades. -> Tem muitas oportunidades.

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- Fill-in-the-Blanks: Create or find exercises where you must choose between tem, há, or está based on context.

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- Describing Your Environment: Look around your room, office, or current location. Verbally (or mentally) describe what exists using tem. For example: Tem uma mesa aqui. Tem cadeiras. Não tem janelas. (There is a table here. There are chairs. There aren't windows.)

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- Asking Questions: Practice forming questions about availability using tem. For instance, before going to a new place, think about questions like: Tem estacionamento? Tem Wi-Fi? Tem comida vegetariana? (Is there parking? Is there Wi-Fi? Is there vegetarian food?)

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- Role-Playing: Engage in simple role-playing scenarios with a language partner or by yourself. Imagine asking for items in a store, describing a party, or checking inventory. Focus on spontaneously using tem for existence.

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- Journaling/Writing Prompts: Write short paragraphs describing a scene, a list of things to do, or what's missing from your life using tem and não tem frequently. This integrates the pattern into your active vocabulary.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using ter for “there is/are”:
  • Q: Can I use têm (plural ter) for “there are” if the noun is plural?
  • A: No, not in standard colloquial Brazilian Portuguese. The impersonal existential form is always tem (singular), regardless of whether the noun phrase it introduces is singular or plural. Using *têm for existence is a common learner error. The form têm (with the circumflex accent) means “they have” (Eles têm carros).
  • Q: Is há ever used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese?
  • A: Yes, but far less frequently than tem. When há appears in spoken BP, it often signals a more formal, didactic, or emphatic tone, or it might be used in fixed expressions. It’s not the default for everyday conversation.
  • Q: What about European Portuguese? Do they use tem for “there is/are”?
  • A: In European Portuguese, há is the standard and much more common way to say “there is/are.” While you might occasionally hear tem in very informal contexts, it’s not as prevalent or standard as in Brazil. Learners of EP should prioritize há.
  • Q: How do I know if tem means “to have” or “there is/are”?
  • A: Context is key. If tem is preceded by an explicit subject (e.g., Ele tem, Nós temos), it means “to have.” If tem stands alone at the beginning of a sentence or phrase without a clear subject, and introduces a noun or noun phrase, it typically means “there is/are.”
  • Ele tem um carro. (He has a car.)
  • Tem um carro na rua. (There is a car in the street.)
  • Q: Can ter also express existence in the past or future?
  • A: Yes, but the impersonal use for

Existential 'Ter' vs Possessive 'Ter'

Function Form Agreement Example
Existential
Tem
None (Always singular)
Tem um gato.
Possessive (3rd Pers)
Tem
Agrees with subject
Ele tem um gato.
Possessive (Plural)
Têm
Agrees with subject
Eles têm gatos.

Meanings

The verb 'ter' (to have) is used colloquially in Brazilian Portuguese to express existence, replacing the more formal 'haver'.

1

Existential

Expressing the presence or availability of something.

“Tem leite na geladeira?”

“Tem muitas pessoas na festa.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Tem + [Noun]
Tem café.
Negative
Não + tem + [Noun]
Não tem café.
Interrogative
Tem + [Noun] + ?
Tem café?
Past (Colloquial)
Tinha + [Noun]
Tinha café.
Future (Colloquial)
Vai ter + [Noun]
Vai ter café.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Há uma reunião.

Há uma reunião. (Work)

Neutral
Existe uma reunião.

Existe uma reunião. (Work)

Informal
Tem uma reunião.

Tem uma reunião. (Work)

Slang
Tem reunião aí.

Tem reunião aí. (Work)

The 'Tem' Universe

TEM

Usage

  • Existential There is/are

Agreement

  • Invariable Never changes
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Examples by Level

1

Tem um carro aqui.

There is a car here.

2

Tem água?

Is there water?

3

Não tem ninguém.

There is no one.

4

Tem muitos livros.

There are many books.

1

Tem alguma farmácia perto?

Is there any pharmacy nearby?

2

Não tem como sair agora.

There is no way to leave now.

3

Tem várias opções no menu.

There are several options on the menu.

4

Tem problemas com o sistema?

Are there problems with the system?

1

Tem muita gente reclamando do serviço.

There are many people complaining about the service.

2

Não tem por que se preocupar.

There is no reason to worry.

3

Tem casos em que isso não funciona.

There are cases where this doesn't work.

4

Tem como você me ajudar?

Is there a way for you to help me?

1

Tem situações que exigem uma resposta imediata.

There are situations that require an immediate response.

2

Não tem nada que possamos fazer agora.

There is nothing we can do now.

3

Tem vezes que a vida nos surpreende.

There are times when life surprises us.

4

Tem evidências de que o plano falhou.

There is evidence that the plan failed.

1

Tem nuances nessa discussão que você ignorou.

There are nuances in this discussion that you ignored.

2

Não tem precedente para uma decisão tão arbitrária.

There is no precedent for such an arbitrary decision.

3

Tem uma certa ironia no que ele disse.

There is a certain irony in what he said.

4

Tem fatores intrínsecos que não podemos controlar.

There are intrinsic factors that we cannot control.

1

Tem, na base da estrutura, uma falha lógica.

There is, at the base of the structure, a logical flaw.

2

Não tem como negar a magnitude do evento.

There is no way to deny the magnitude of the event.

3

Tem momentos em que o silêncio é a melhor resposta.

There are moments when silence is the best answer.

4

Tem uma complexidade inerente ao processo.

There is an inherent complexity to the process.

Easily Confused

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial) vs Ter vs Têm

Learners confuse the existential 'tem' with the plural possessive 'têm'.

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial) vs Ter vs Haver

Learners use 'haver' in casual speech.

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial) vs Ter vs Existir

Learners try to conjugate 'existir' when they should use the invariant 'tem'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Têm um livro.

✓

Tem um livro.

Do not use the plural form for existence.
✗

Existem um livro.

✓

Tem um livro.

Use 'tem' for casual speech.
✗

Ter um livro.

✓

Tem um livro.

You must conjugate the verb.
✗

Tem livros.

✓

Tem livros.

This is actually correct, but often learners add 'têm'.
✗

Têm muitas pessoas.

✓

Tem muitas pessoas.

Invariable form.
✗

Haver muitas pessoas.

✓

Tem muitas pessoas.

Too formal for daily use.
✗

Tem-se muitas pessoas.

✓

Tem muitas pessoas.

Incorrect reflexive usage.
✗

Têm que ter cuidado.

✓

Tem que ter cuidado.

Existential 'tem' is impersonal.
✗

Houve muitos problemas.

✓

Teve muitos problemas.

Past tense existential 'ter' is 'teve'.
✗

Têm existido problemas.

✓

Tem existido problemas.

Invariable.
✗

Têm-se notado mudanças.

✓

Tem se notado mudanças.

Impersonal structure.
✗

Haveriam de ter soluções.

✓

Haveria de ter soluções.

Conditional agreement.
✗

Têm ocorrido falhas.

✓

Tem ocorrido falhas.

Invariable.

Sentence Patterns

Tem ___ aqui.

Não tem ___ hoje.

Tem ___ que eu não gosto.

Tem como ___?

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Tem alguém em casa?

Ordering Food very common

Tem molho de tomate?

Social Media very common

Tem vídeo novo no canal!

Travel common

Tem ônibus para o centro?

Work occasional

Tem uma reunião às 10h.

Shopping common

Tem esse sapato no tamanho 40?

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the grammar. Just use 'tem' for everything.
⚠️

Watch the writing

In formal writing, use 'haver' or 'existir' instead of 'tem'.
🎯

Listen to locals

You will hear 'tem' in almost every sentence in Brazil.
💬

Regional differences

This rule is specific to Brazil. In Portugal, it will sound wrong.

Smart Tips

Just use 'tem'. Don't worry about the noun.

Existem muitos problemas. → Tem muitos problemas.

Switch 'tem' to 'há'.

Tem uma reunião amanhã. → Há uma reunião amanhã.

Check if it is possessive.

Têm um carro aqui. → Tem um carro aqui.

Use 'tem' at the start.

Algum Wi-Fi tem? → Tem Wi-Fi?

Pronunciation

/tẽj/

Nasalization

The 'em' in 'tem' is nasalized.

Question

Tem café? ↑

Rising intonation for yes/no questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tem' as a 'T-shirt' that fits everyone: it never changes size, just like 'tem' never changes for plural.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'TEM' sign floating in the air. Whether one person or a hundred people walk under it, the sign stays exactly the same.

Rhyme

Singular or plural, don't you worry, just use 'tem' in a hurry!

Story

Maria walks into a room. She sees one chair. She says 'Tem uma cadeira'. Then she sees ten chairs. She still says 'Tem dez cadeiras'. She is happy because she never has to change the verb.

Word Web

TemExistênciaPresençaDisponibilidadeColoquialBrasil

Challenge

Look around your room right now. Write 5 sentences using 'Tem' to describe what is there.

Cultural Notes

This is the standard way to speak. Using 'haver' in a bar will make you sound like a professor.

They use 'haver' or 'existir'. Using 'tem' for existence is considered incorrect.

Similar to Brazil, 'ter' is common in casual speech.

From Latin 'tenere' (to hold/possess).

Conversation Starters

“

Tem Wi-Fi aqui?

“

Tem algum restaurante bom perto?

“

Tem como a gente remarcar?

“

Tem alguma razão específica para isso?

Journal Prompts

Describe your room using 'Tem'.
What is in your fridge right now?
Describe a busy place you visited.
Discuss the pros and cons of your city.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

___ um café na mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Use 'tem' for existence.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ambas A e C.
Both are correct depending on register.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Têm um problema aqui.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem um problema aqui.
Invariable form.
Unscramble the sentence. Sentence Building

aqui / tem / Wi-Fi / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Todas as anteriores.
Word order is flexible.
Is this correct? Conjugation Drill

Tem muitos livros na estante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sim
Correct usage.
Match the form to the meaning. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem: Existential, Têm: Plural Possessive
Know the difference.
Select the best option. Multiple Choice

___ muitas opções no menu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Colloquial existential.
Fill in the blank.

Não ___ ninguém em casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Invariable.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ um café na mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Use 'tem' for existence.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ambas A e C.
Both are correct depending on register.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Têm um problema aqui.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem um problema aqui.
Invariable form.
Unscramble the sentence. Sentence Building

aqui / tem / Wi-Fi / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Todas as anteriores.
Word order is flexible.
Is this correct? Conjugation Drill

Tem muitos livros na estante.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sim
Correct usage.
Match the form to the meaning. Match Pairs

Match 'Tem' and 'Têm'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem: Existential, Têm: Plural Possessive
Know the difference.
Select the best option. Multiple Choice

___ muitas opções no menu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Colloquial existential.
Fill in the blank.

Não ___ ninguém em casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Invariable.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the question: Is there sugar? Fill in the Blank

___ açúcar?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Fix the sentence to use the colloquial 'there are'. Error Correction

Existem três carros na garagem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem três carros na garagem.
Put the words in order: (coffee / there is / no / more) Sentence Reorder

não / café / tem / mais

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não tem mais café.
Translate to colloquial Portuguese: 'There are many people here.' Translation

There are many people here.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem muita gente aqui.
Match the English to the Portuguese. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem um problema
Which one is best for a WhatsApp message? Multiple Choice

Asking if there is a meeting:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem reunião hoje?
Fill in the blank: There is someone in the bathroom. Fill in the Blank

___ alguém no banheiro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Fix the formal sentence to be colloquial. Error Correction

Há muitas notificações no meu celular.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem muita notificação no meu celular.
Translate: 'Is there any milk left?' Translation

Is there any milk left?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem leite?
Select the negative colloquial form. Multiple Choice

There isn't any time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não tem tempo.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, 'têm' is only for the plural possessive 'they have'. For existence, always use 'tem'.

No, it is informal. Use 'haver' or 'existir' for formal writing.

No, 'tem' is invariant.

No, it is specific to Brazilian Portuguese.

It is 'tinha'.

It is 'vai ter'.

It is better to use 'haver' or 'existir' in academic essays.

It is a natural evolution of the language in Brazil toward simplicity.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Hay

Spanish 'hay' is standard; Portuguese 'tem' is colloquial.

French moderate

Il y a

French 'il y a' is standard; Portuguese 'tem' is colloquial.

German moderate

Es gibt

German 'es gibt' is standard; Portuguese 'tem' is colloquial.

Japanese low

ga aru / ga iru

Portuguese 'tem' is used for everything.

Arabic low

hunaka

Portuguese 'tem' is a verb; Arabic 'hunaka' is an adverb.

Chinese high

yǒu

Chinese 'yǒu' is standard; Portuguese 'tem' is colloquial.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)

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