A1 Present Tense 19 min read Easy

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)

Use *ter* not just for owning things, but also for stating your age and physical feelings like hunger or cold.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The verb 'ter' means 'to have' and is irregular; use it to describe possessions, age, and obligations.

  • Use 'Eu tenho' for 'I have'. Example: 'Eu tenho um carro.'
  • Use 'Ele/Ela tem' for 'He/She has'. Example: 'Ela tem um livro.'
  • Use 'Eles/Elas têm' (with circumflex) for 'They have'. Example: 'Eles têm fome.'
Subject + Ter (conjugated) + Object

Overview

In Portuguese, the verb ter is foundational, much like "to have" in English. However, its usage extends significantly beyond simple possession, encompassing many contexts where English uses "to be." For A1 learners, mastering ter is a critical step, as it unlocks the ability to express age, physical sensations, obligations, and even existence in common daily interactions. It is a highly frequent and indispensable verb.

You will encounter ter constantly, making its correct application crucial for building basic fluency. Understanding its nuances at this early stage prevents common misconceptions and forms a solid grammatical base.

Ter is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow the predictable patterns of regular -er verbs. This requires direct memorization, particularly for the first-person singular (eu) form, which undergoes a significant stem change. Its irregularity, combined with its expanded semantic roles, makes it a unique challenge and a key marker of grammatical proficiency in Portuguese.

You will find that internalizing these forms and usages is more about consistent exposure and practice than abstract rule application.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Conjugation English Equivalent
:---------------- :------------ :-------------------
eu tenho I have
tu tens You have (informal)
você tem You have (formal)
ele/ela tem He/She has
nós temos We have
vocês têm You all have
eles/elas têm They have

How This Grammar Works

At its core, ter fundamentally expresses a concept of possession or holding. In Portuguese, this concept extends beyond merely owning objects to encompass a range of personal states that English speakers often associate with the verb "to be." You "have" years (age), you "have" hunger or thirst (physical sensations), and you "have" an obligation (a task to complete).
This linguistic pattern reveals a distinct way of conceptualizing certain experiences. Instead of being hungry, a Portuguese speaker has hunger (ter fome). Instead of being 30 years old, they have 30 years (ter trinta anos).
This possessive construction is a deeply ingrained part of the language's logic. It treats these states as quantifiable or identifiable entities that one temporarily or permanently possesses, rather than inherent qualities of being. For instance, your hunger is something you possess until you eat, a temporary condition you hold.
Consider the phrase ter medo (to be afraid/to have fear). The noun medo (fear) is treated as an object that one possesses. You are not being fearful; you have fear.
This subtle distinction is crucial for understanding the underlying grammatical structure. Over time, you will develop an intuitive sense for when Portuguese defaults to this possessive construction, even for concepts where English uses to be.

Formation Pattern

1
The verb ter is highly irregular in the present tense, exhibiting stem changes that do not follow standard conjugation rules for -er verbs. While many verbs feature consistent patterns in their endings (e.g., -o, -es, -e, -emos, -eis, -em), ter deviates significantly, particularly in the eu form and the present stem used for other conjugations.
2
For eu, the stem shifts from t- to ten-, resulting in eu tenho. This is an idiosyncratic change that requires rote memorization. The tu, você/ele/ela, nós, and vocês/eles/elas forms use a slightly different stem, te- or t-, combined with irregular endings, yielding tens, tem, temos, and têm. There isn't a straightforward rule to predict these changes from the infinitive ter; rather, they are historical remnants of Latin conjugation that have solidified into the modern irregular forms. Therefore, the most effective approach for A1 learners is direct memorization and frequent application in context.

When To Use It

Ter is one of the most versatile verbs in Portuguese. You will use it in several key scenarios:
  • Possession of Objects or People: This is the most direct translation of "to have" in English. It indicates ownership or belonging.
  • Eu tenho um carro novo. (I have a new car.)
  • Nós temos dois filhos. (We have two children.)
  • Ela tem um livro interessante. (She has an interesting book.)
  • Expressing Age: In Portuguese, you don't "are" a certain age; you "have" a certain number of years. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers.
  • Quantos anos você tem? (How many years do you have? / How old are you?)
  • Eu tenho vinte anos. (I have twenty years. / I am twenty years old.)
  • Minha avó tem oitenta e cinco anos. (My grandmother has eighty-five years. / My grandmother is eighty-five years old.)
  • Physical and Emotional Sensations: Instead of "to be hungry," "to be thirsty," "to be cold," etc., Portuguese uses ter followed by the noun describing the sensation. This is a crucial distinction from English.
  • Você tem fome? (Do you have hunger? / Are you hungry?)
  • Nós temos sede. (We have thirst. / We are thirsty.)
  • Ele tem frio. (He has cold. / He is cold.)
  • Elas têm sono. (They have sleepiness. / They are sleepy.)
  • Eu tenho medo de aranhas. (I have fear of spiders. / I am afraid of spiders.)
  • Ela tem vergonha de falar em público. (She has shame to speak in public. / She is embarrassed to speak in public.)
  • Obligation (Ter que / Ter de + Infinitive): Ter is used to express necessity or obligation, similar to "to have to" or "must" in English. Both ter que and ter de are acceptable, with ter de being slightly more common in European Portuguese and ter que more prevalent in Brazilian Portuguese, though both are understood.
  • Eu tenho que estudar para a prova. (I have to study for the test.)
  • Nós temos de trabalhar amanhã. (We have to work tomorrow.)
  • Você tem que ir ao médico. (You have to go to the doctor.)
  • Existence (Impersonal Ter - Brazilian Portuguese): In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, the third-person singular tem is frequently used impersonally to mean "there is" or "there are," often replacing haver (há). This is a very common informal usage.
  • Tem café? (Is there coffee? / Does it have coffee?) - Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
  • Tem muitas pessoas na festa. (There are many people at the party.) - Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
  • Não tem problema. (There is no problem.) - Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
  • Fixed Expressions: Ter is part of many common idiomatic expressions.
  • Ter razão (To be right / To have reason)
  • Você tem razão. (You are right.)
  • Ter sorte (To be lucky / To have luck)
  • Ela tem sorte nos jogos. (She is lucky in games.)
  • Ter pressa (To be in a hurry / To have hurry)
  • Nós temos pressa. (We are in a hurry.)

When Not To Use It

While ter is versatile, it's equally important to know when its usage is grammatically incorrect or semantically inappropriate. Misusing ter often leads to expressions that sound unnatural or entirely wrong to a native speaker. Avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial for accurate communication.
  • For Permanent Identity or Origin: You should never use ter to describe inherent, unchanging qualities, identity, profession, or origin. For these, always use the verb ser (to be - permanent).
  • Incorrect: Eu tenho brasileiro.
  • Correct: Eu sou brasileiro. (I am Brazilian.)
  • Incorrect: Ele tem médico.
  • Correct: Ele é médico. (He is a doctor.)
  • For Temporary States with Adjectives: When describing temporary conditions or states that are expressed with adjectives, Portuguese typically uses the verb estar (to be - temporary). This contrasts sharply with sensations which use ter followed by a noun.
  • Incorrect: Eu tenho cansado.
  • Correct: Eu estou cansado. (I am tired.)
  • Incorrect: A porta tem aberta.
  • Correct: A porta está aberta. (The door is open.)
  • Remember the distinction: you have fome (hunger, a noun), but you are cansado (tired, an adjective).
  • For Formal Existence (European Portuguese): While tem is widely used impersonally for "there is/are" in informal Brazilian Portuguese, it is generally avoided in more formal contexts and in European Portuguese. In these situations, the verb haver is preferred.
  • Incorrect (for formal EP): Tem muitas flores no jardim.
  • Correct (formal EP/BP): Há muitas flores no jardim. (There are many flowers in the garden.)
  • While Brazilians understand há, they predominantly use tem in everyday speech for this function. For A1 learners, it is important to be aware of this distinction, especially if interacting with speakers from different regions or in formal settings.

Common Mistakes

Beginners frequently make specific errors when learning ter due to direct translation from English or a lack of exposure to its nuanced uses. Recognizing and actively correcting these mistakes will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.
  • The "I am X years old" Trap (Eu sou X anos): This is perhaps the most ubiquitous mistake. English speakers instinctively translate "I am 20 years old" directly. However, saying Eu sou vinte anos literally means "I am twenty years," implying you are a duration of time, not that you possess a certain age. It sounds profoundly incorrect to a native speaker. Always remember the possessive construction for age.
  • Mistake: Eu sou 25 anos.
  • Correction: Eu tenho 25 anos. (I have 25 years.)
  • Confusing tem and têm: The presence or absence of the circumflex accent is a common source of written errors. While often sounding identical in fast speech, the accent mark (^) on têm is not merely decorative; it signifies a plural subject (they/you all).
  • Mistake: Eles tem muitas dúvidas. (Missing accent for plural subject eles)
  • Correction: Eles têm muitas dúvidas. (They have many doubts.)
  • Rule: If the subject is singular (você, ele, ela), use tem. If the subject is plural (vocês, eles, elas), use têm. In written Portuguese, this distinction is crucial for grammatical correctness.
  • Incorrect tu Conjugation (tu tem instead of tu tens): In some informal Brazilian dialects, particularly in regions where tu is still used (e.g., parts of the Northeast, South), speakers might incorrectly conjugate tu with the third-person singular ending, saying tu tem. While this is understood regionally, it is grammatically incorrect in standard Portuguese (tu tens).
  • Mistake (grammatically): Tu tem um bom dia.
  • Correction (standard): Tu tens um bom dia. (You have a good day.)
  • Recommendation for A1: Stick to the standard tu tens or, if in Brazil, use você tem to avoid regional variations and ensure broader understanding.
  • Using ter with Adjectives for States: As covered in the "When Not To Use It" section, employing ter with adjectives to describe temporary states is incorrect. This frequently happens with states like being tired, happy, sad, etc.
  • Mistake: Eu tenho feliz. (I have happy.)
  • Correction: Eu estou feliz. (I am happy.)
  • This error stems from the natural tendency to generalize ter's use for sensations (which take nouns) to other states (which take adjectives with estar). Always check if the word describing the state is a noun (use ter) or an adjective (use estar).

Memory Trick

Memorizing the nuances of ter can be challenging, but a few simple tricks can solidify your understanding, especially for the core A1 concepts.

- The "Possession Mindset": For age and sensations, visualize yourself literally holding or possessing these abstract concepts. Instead of "I am 30 years old," think "I have 30 years in my hands." Instead of "I am hungry," think "I have hunger as a possession." This mental image reinforces the possessive nature of ter in these contexts. You wouldn't be a car; you have a car. Similarly, you wouldn't be years; you have years.

- The Circumflex "Hat" for Plurality: To remember the difference between tem (singular) and têm (plural), think of the circumflex accent (^) as a little "hat" for multiple heads. If there's more than one person (they, you all), they collectively need a hat. This visual cue helps distinguish the written forms. Imagine eles or elas standing together, and one m needs a hat to represent all of them.

- Sensations as Nouns: Train yourself to recognize that Portuguese treats feelings and physical states as nouns when paired with ter. Create a mental flashcard for fome (hunger), sede (thirst), frio (cold), calor (heat), sono (sleepiness), medo (fear), vergonha (shame) as entities you have, not qualities you are. This helps reinforce the ter + noun structure and prevents mistakenly using estar with adjectives.

Real Conversations

Understanding ter is not just about grammatical rules; it's about recognizing its omnipresence in authentic communication. Here’s how ter appears in various real-world contexts, from casual chats to more structured interactions.

Casual Text Message Exchange (Brazilian Portuguese):

- Amiga 1: Oi! Tudo bem? O que você tem feito? (Hi! All good? What have you been up to?)

- Amiga 2: Tudo ótimo! Tenho trabalhado muito, tenho que entregar um projeto. E você? (All great! I've been working a lot, I have to deliver a project. And you?)

- Amiga 1: Ah, entendi! Eu tenho aula agora, mas depois tem um café novo que quero ir. Quer ir? (Oh, I get it! I have class now, but after there's a new coffee shop I want to go to. Want to go?)

- Amiga 2: Claro! Que horas você tem livre? Eu tenho fome, vamos comer algo lá. (Sure! What time do you have free? I'm hungry, let's eat something there.)

Social Media Comment (European Portuguese):

- Post: Que dia lindo para um passeio na praia! ☀️ (What a beautiful day for a walk on the beach!)

- Comentário: Sim! Nós temos sorte com o tempo hoje. Quem não tem nada para fazer devia vir! (Yes! We are lucky with the weather today. Whoever has nothing to do should come!)

Work Email (Formal):

- Prezado(a) [Nome do Cliente], (Dear [Client Name],)

- Espero que este email o(a) encontre bem. Gostaríamos de confirmar que temos todos os documentos necessários para prosseguir. Se tiver alguma dúvida, por favor, não hesite em nos contactar. (I hope this email finds you well. We would like to confirm that we have all the necessary documents to proceed. If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact us.)

These examples demonstrate ter expressing general activity (ter feito), obligation (ter que entregar), possession (ter aula), existence (tem um café), availability (ter livre), sensations (ter fome), luck (ter sorte), and general possession in a formal context (temos todos os documentos). The flexibility of ter is evident across these communication styles.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Portuguese uses several verbs where English might simply use "to be" or "to have." Understanding the distinctions between ter and these other verbs is paramount for accurate expression.
  • Ter vs. Ser (To be - Permanent):
  • Ser describes permanent characteristics, identity, origin, profession, or inherent qualities. It answers "What is it?" or "Who is it?" The state defined by ser is generally not expected to change.
  • Eu sou estudante. (I am a student – profession/identity)
  • Ela é portuguesa. (She is Portuguese – nationality/origin)
  • O céu é azul. (The sky is blue – inherent quality)
  • Ter describes possession, age, sensations, and obligations. It answers "What do you have?" or "How many years do you have?" The concepts are treated as something held or experienced.
  • Eu tenho um livro. (I have a book – possession)
  • Ela tem vinte anos. (She is twenty years old – age)
  • Eu tenho fome. (I am hungry – sensation)
  • Key Takeaway: If it's about what or who something fundamentally is, use ser. If it's about what something has or experiences, use ter.
  • Ter vs. Estar (To be - Temporary):
  • Estar describes temporary states, locations, conditions, or feelings (expressed with adjectives). It answers "How is it (right now)?" or "Where is it?" The state is subject to change.
  • Eu estou cansado. (I am tired – temporary state/feeling with an adjective)
  • A porta está aberta. (The door is open – temporary condition)
  • Nós estamos em casa. (We are at home – location)
  • Ter describes sensations (expressed with nouns), age, and possession. It's about having an experience, not being in a state.
  • Eu tenho sono. (I am sleepy / I have sleepiness – sensation with a noun)
  • Ele tem calor. (He is hot / He has heat – sensation with a noun)
  • Key Takeaway: If the state is described by an adjective and is temporary, use estar. If the state is described by a noun (like fome, sede, medo), use ter.
  • Ter vs. Haver (To exist):
  • Haver is primarily used in its impersonal third-person singular form, há, meaning "there is/are." This is the grammatically correct and preferred form in European Portuguese and formal contexts in Brazilian Portuguese for indicating existence.
  • Há muitos alunos na sala. (There are many students in the room.)
  • Não há tempo para isso. (There is no time for that.)
  • Ter is used impersonally as tem (third-person singular) to mean "there is/are" almost exclusively in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese. It is highly common in everyday speech and informal writing.
  • Tem um livro na mesa. (There is a book on the table.) - Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
  • Tem pão? (Is there bread?) - Colloquial Brazilian Portuguese
  • Key Takeaway: For A1 learners in Brazil, using tem for "there is/are" is natural and common. If studying European Portuguese or in formal Brazilian contexts, opt for há.

Progressive Practice

1

Consistent practice is the most effective way to internalize the complex uses of ter. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase complexity as your confidence grows.

2

- Self-Introduction Drill: Practice introducing yourself and others, explicitly stating age and any current sensations. For example: Olá, eu me chamo [Seu Nome], e eu tenho [sua idade] anos. Hoje, eu tenho um pouco de sono. (Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am [your age] years old. Today, I am a little sleepy.) Describe family members: Minha irmã tem [idade dela] anos.

3

- Q&A with a Partner: Engage in simple question-and-answer sessions focusing on ter. One person asks, the other answers. Example questions:

4

- Você tem um animal de estimação? (Do you have a pet?)

5

- Quantos anos sua mãe tem? (How old is your mother?)

6

- Você tem fome agora? (Are you hungry now?)

7

- Você tem que estudar hoje? (Do you have to study today?)

8

- Daily Journaling: Keep a short daily journal in Portuguese, specifically aiming to use ter in as many of its different contexts as possible. Describe what you have (Eu tenho um encontro hoje.), your age, your current physical state (Eu tenho calor.), and any obligations (Eu tenho que ir ao supermercado.). This reinforces usage in a natural, repetitive manner.

9

- Observation in Native Content: While watching Portuguese-language shows, movies, or listening to music, actively listen for ter. Pause and note down sentences where ter is used. Try to identify which specific use case it falls into (possession, age, sensation, obligation, existence).

10

- Grammar Transformation Exercises: Take simple English sentences and translate them into Portuguese, focusing on where ter is required instead of to be.

11

- English: "I am thirsty." -> Portuguese: Eu tenho sede.

12

- English: "They are cold." -> Portuguese: Eles têm frio.

13

- English: "We have to work." -> Portuguese: Nós temos que trabalhar.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions beginners have about ter:
Q: Can I say Eu tenho 20 without anos?

In direct response to a question about age, yes. If someone asks Quantos anos você tem? (How old are you?), it's perfectly natural to answer simply Tenho 20. (I have 20.). However, in other contexts or when first introducing your age, including anos makes it clearer and is generally safer for A1 learners.

Q: Is tu tens used in Brazil?

The use of tu and its conjugations (like tu tens) varies significantly across Brazil. It's common in parts of the South (e.g., Rio Grande do Sul), some Northeastern states (e.g., Ceará, Pernambuco), and occasionally in other regions. However, in major urban centers like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, você is overwhelmingly preferred. If tu is used in Brazil, you might hear the grammatically incorrect tu tem (using the third-person singular conjugation), but standard Portuguese maintains tu tens.

Q: How do I pronounce têm?

The pronunciation of têm (plural) and tem (singular) is very similar, often indistinguishable for non-native speakers, but there is a subtle difference. Both are nasalized. Tem (singular) is pronounced somewhat like the English word "ten" but with a more closed 'e' sound and nasalization (IPA: /tẽ/). Têm (plural) has a slightly more open, but still nasalized, 'e' sound, often described as slightly closer to the 'a' in "father" or the 'e' in "bed" but nasalized, similar to the French "pain" (IPA: /tẽj/). For A1, focusing on consistent nasalization is sufficient, but be aware of the written distinction.

Q: What's the difference between ter que and ter de?

Both ter que and ter de express obligation ("to have to" or "must"). In practice, they are often interchangeable. Ter que is more common in Brazilian Portuguese, while ter de is slightly more prevalent in European Portuguese. However, both forms are understood across the Portuguese-speaking world. For A1 learners, choosing one and consistently using it (e.g., ter que) is a good strategy to avoid confusion, but recognize both when encountered.

Q: Can ter be used to say "I have a cold" or "I have a fever"?

Yes, absolutely. These are also treated as possessions in Portuguese. You would say Eu tenho um resfriado (I have a cold) or Eu tenho febre (I have a fever). This follows the pattern of having physical conditions as nouns, rather than being adjectives of state.

Present Indicative of 'Ter'

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

Meanings

The verb 'ter' is the primary way to express possession in Portuguese. It is also used to express age and physical sensations.

1

Possession

Owning or holding something.

“Eu tenho uma casa.”

“Você tem um lápis?”

2

Age

Expressing how old someone is.

“Eu tenho 25 anos.”

“Ela tem 10 anos.”

3

Obligation

Used with 'que' to mean 'have to'.

“Eu tenho que estudar.”

“Você tem que ir.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Ter + Object
Eu tenho um gato.
Negative
Subject + não + Ter + Object
Eu não tenho um gato.
Question
Ter + Subject + Object?
Você tem um gato?
Obligation
Subject + Ter + que + Verb
Eu tenho que ir.
Age
Subject + Ter + Number + anos
Eu tenho 20 anos.
Plural
Eles + têm + Object
Eles têm dinheiro.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Possuo um problema.

Possuo um problema. (General)

Neutral
Eu tenho um problema.

Eu tenho um problema. (General)

Informal
Tenho um problema.

Tenho um problema. (General)

Slang
Tô com um B.O.

Tô com um B.O. (General)

Uses of 'Ter'

Ter

Possession

  • Carro Car

Age

  • Anos Years

Obligation

  • Que That/To
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Examples by Level

1

Eu tenho um cachorro.

I have a dog.

2

Você tem um lápis?

Do you have a pencil?

3

Ela tem dez anos.

She is ten years old.

4

Nós temos fome.

We are hungry.

1

Eu não tenho dinheiro hoje.

I don't have money today.

2

Você tem que estudar mais.

You have to study more.

3

Eles têm muitas ideias.

They have many ideas.

4

Quem tem o meu livro?

Who has my book?

1

Eu tenho pressa de chegar.

I am in a hurry to arrive.

2

Tem muita gente na festa.

There are many people at the party.

3

Você tem medo de altura?

Are you afraid of heights?

4

Nós temos que resolver isso.

We have to solve this.

1

Tenho lido muito ultimamente.

I have been reading a lot lately.

2

Não tem como evitar o problema.

There is no way to avoid the problem.

3

Eles têm tido sucesso no projeto.

They have been successful in the project.

4

Você tem o que é preciso?

Do you have what it takes?

1

Teria sido melhor se você tivesse avisado.

It would have been better if you had warned me.

2

Não tem quem não goste dele.

There is no one who doesn't like him.

3

Tenho por certo que ele virá.

I am certain that he will come.

4

Ele tem o dom da palavra.

He has the gift of gab.

1

Haveria de ter uma solução mais simples.

There must have been a simpler solution.

2

Tendo em vista os fatos, decidi sair.

Given the facts, I decided to leave.

3

Não tem como não se emocionar.

There's no way not to be moved.

4

Ele tem para si que é o melhor.

He believes he is the best.

Easily Confused

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age) vs Ter vs. Haver

Both can mean 'to have' or 'there is'.

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age) vs Ter vs. Ser (Age)

English uses 'to be' for age.

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age) vs Tem vs. Têm

They sound identical.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu sou 20 anos.

✓

Eu tenho 20 anos.

Age uses 'ter', not 'ser'.
✗

Eles tem um carro.

✓

Eles têm um carro.

Plural requires circumflex.
✗

Eu tenho estudar.

✓

Eu tenho que estudar.

Obligation requires 'que'.
✗

Tenho um gato.

✓

Eu tenho um gato.

While correct, beginners should practice subject pronouns.
✗

Tem um problema.

✓

Há um problema.

In formal writing, use 'haver'.
✗

Você tem que vai?

✓

Você tem que ir?

Verb after 'que' must be infinitive.
✗

Eles têm fome.

✓

Eles têm fome.

This is correct, but learners often use 'estão com fome'.
✗

Tenho tido muito trabalho.

✓

Tenho tido muito trabalho.

This is correct, but learners avoid it.
✗

Não tem como eu ir.

✓

Não há como eu ir.

Formal register preference.
✗

Ele tem por certo que vai.

✓

Ele tem por certo que vai.

Correct, but learners struggle with idioms.
✗

Teria ter feito isso.

✓

Teria feito isso.

Double verb error.
✗

Ele tem para ele que é verdade.

✓

Ele tem para si que é verdade.

Reflexive pronoun error.
✗

Haver de ter uma saída.

✓

Há de haver uma saída.

Redundancy.

Sentence Patterns

Eu tenho ___.

Você tem ___ anos?

Eu tenho que ___.

Não tenho ___.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Tem novidade?

Ordering Food very common

Tem opção vegetariana?

Job Interview common

Tenho experiência na área.

Travel common

Tem vaga no hotel?

Social Media very common

Tenho fotos novas!

Classroom common

Professor, tenho uma dúvida.

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⚠️

The Accent Trap

Don't forget the hat! 'Ele tem' (singular) vs. 'Eles têm' (plural). It's the only way to tell them apart in writing.
💬

Brazilian Slang

In Brazil, you'll hear 'Tem alguém aí?' instead of 'Há alguém aí?'. 'Ter' replaces 'Haver' (there is) in spoken language.
🎯

Age Logic

Imagine age is something you collect in a backpack. You possess years; you don't become them.

Smart Tips

Always think 'I have X years' instead of 'I am X years'.

Eu sou 20 anos. → Eu tenho 20 anos.

Check for the circumflex accent on 'têm'.

Eles tem muitos livros. → Eles têm muitos livros.

Don't forget the 'que' connector.

Eu tenho ir. → Eu tenho que ir.

Use 'tem' for informal, 'há' for formal.

Tem um problema (formal email). → Há um problema (formal email).

Pronunciation

/tẽj/

Nasalization

The 'ão' in 'têm' is nasal.

Question

Você tem? ↑

Rising pitch at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ter' as a 'T-Rex' that 'has' everything in its tiny hands.

Visual Association

Imagine a T-Rex holding a giant clock (for age) and a list of chores (for obligation).

Rhyme

Eu tenho, você tem, todos têm, isso convém!

Story

Maria tem um gato. Ela tem 5 anos. Ela tem que dar comida ao gato. O gato tem fome.

Word Web

tenhotemtemostêmtertido

Challenge

Write down 5 things you have in your room using 'Eu tenho...'.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'ter' is used for 'there is' (e.g., 'Tem um livro aqui').

In Portugal, 'haver' is preferred for existence.

Usage is similar to Brazil, very common in daily speech.

Comes from Latin 'tenere', meaning to hold or grasp.

Conversation Starters

“

Quantos anos você tem?

“

Você tem um animal de estimação?

“

O que você tem que fazer hoje?

“

Você tem medo de quê?

Journal Prompts

Describe your family members and their ages.
List 5 things you have in your bag.
Write about your daily obligations.
Discuss a fear you have and why.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate 'ter' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ um carro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu takes 'tenho'.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ dinheiro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: têm
Plural requires circumflex.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu sou 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Age uses 'ter'.
Make negative. Sentence Transformation

Eu tenho fome.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não tenho fome.
Add 'não' before verb.
Match the pronoun to the verb. Match Pairs

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: temos
Nós matches temos.
Which is correct for obligation? Multiple Choice

Eu ___ que estudar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu tenho que.
Fill in the blank.

Ela ___ dez anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Singular uses 'tem'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

um / tenho / eu / cachorro

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho um cachorro.
Subject + Verb + Object.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate 'ter' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ um carro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu takes 'tenho'.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ dinheiro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: têm
Plural requires circumflex.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu sou 20 anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho 20 anos.
Age uses 'ter'.
Make negative. Sentence Transformation

Eu tenho fome.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não tenho fome.
Add 'não' before verb.
Match the pronoun to the verb. Match Pairs

Nós + ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: temos
Nós matches temos.
Which is correct for obligation? Multiple Choice

Eu ___ que estudar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho
Eu tenho que.
Fill in the blank.

Ela ___ dez anos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Singular uses 'tem'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

um / tenho / eu / cachorro

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho um cachorro.
Subject + Verb + Object.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence Fill in the Blank

Nós ___ muito trabalho hoje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: temos
Complete the sentence Fill in the Blank

Você ___ tempo amanhã?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Select the correct plural form Multiple Choice

Os meninos ___ bicicletas.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: têm
Fix the mistake Error Correction

Eu tenho frio? No, I am cold.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho frio.
Conjugate for 'Tu' (informal) Fill in the Blank

Tu ___ uma caneta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tens
Which expresses obligation? Multiple Choice

How do you say 'I have to go'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tenho que ir.
Match the subject to the verb form Match Pairs

Match correctly:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Eu::Tenho","N\u00f3s::Temos","Eles::T\u00eam","Voc\u00ea::Tem"]
Unscramble the sentence Sentence Reorder

medo / escuro / tenho / Eu / do

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu tenho medo do escuro.
Translate to Portuguese Translation

We are thirsty.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós temos sede.
Fix the accent mark Error Correction

Elas tem muitos amigos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elas têm muitos amigos.
Complete the age phrase Fill in the Blank

O bebê ___ dois meses.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tem
Identify the correct usage Multiple Choice

Which sentence means 'You are right'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você tem razão.

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

It distinguishes the plural 'they have' from the singular 'he/she has'.

Yes, in informal Brazilian Portuguese, it's very common.

No, it is irregular and must be memorized.

Use 'Eu tenho 25 anos'.

One is singular, one is plural.

Yes, 'ter que' means 'to have to'.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Yes, but 'haver' is more formal.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

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Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener

Spanish uses 'tener' for age, just like Portuguese.

French moderate

Avoir

The verb is completely different from 'tenir' (which means to hold).

German moderate

Haben

German uses 'sein' (to be) for age, unlike Portuguese.

Japanese low

Motsu (持つ)

Japanese uses 'sai' for age, not a verb.

Arabic low

Indi (عندي)

No direct verb for 'have' exists in the same way.

Chinese moderate

Yǒu (有)

Chinese does not conjugate verbs.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The Verb ESTAR: Temporary 'To Be' (estou, está)
Next
Telling Time in Portuguese: Is it É or São?

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