A1 Collocation Neutral

Ter sorte

To be lucky

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'ter sorte' to describe when good things happen to you by chance.

  • Means: To experience good fortune or favorable outcomes.
  • Used in: Talking about exams, finding items, or winning games.
  • Don't confuse: 'Ter sorte' (to have luck) with 'dar sorte' (to bring luck).
Four-leaf clover + Smiling face = Ter sorte

Explanation at your level:

Use 'ter sorte' to say you are lucky. It is a simple phrase for everyday life.
This collocation describes positive outcomes that happen by chance. It is very common in casual conversation when talking about daily events.
Used to express that an event was favorable due to external circumstances. It is often paired with the preposition 'de' to explain what the luck was regarding.
This phrase functions as a common idiomatic expression to attribute success to fortune. It is versatile and can be used in both professional and personal contexts to soften the tone of a conversation.
The phrase serves as a linguistic marker for attributing causality to chance. It is deeply embedded in the cultural lexicon, often appearing in proverbs that reflect a fatalistic view of success.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, 'ter sorte' conceptualizes luck as a possession. This metaphor allows speakers to quantify fortune, leading to expressions like 'muita sorte' or 'pouca sorte', framing luck as an object one can hold.

Meaning

To experience good fortune or have favorable outcomes.

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Cultural Background

Brazilians often use 'dar sorte' to refer to objects or people that bring good vibes. In Portugal, 'ter sorte' is used similarly but often with a more reserved tone. The phrase is universally understood and used across all Portuguese-speaking countries.

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Verb choice

Always use 'ter' with 'sorte'.

Meaning

To experience good fortune or have favorable outcomes.

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Verb choice

Always use 'ter' with 'sorte'.

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence.

Eu ______ sorte na loteria.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tenho

The verb 'ter' is used with 'sorte'.

🎉 Score: /1

Visual Learning Aids

Frequently Asked Questions

1 questions

No, that is grammatically incorrect. Use 'Eu tenho sorte'.

Related Phrases

🔗

Dar sorte

similar

To bring luck

Where to Use It

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Finding a seat

Ana: Nossa, o ônibus estava lotado!

Beto: Tive sorte de encontrar esse lugar.

informal
📝

Passing a test

Professor: Você passou no exame.

Aluno: Uau, tive muita sorte!

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Sort' of 'Lucky' person.

Visual Association

Imagine a person finding a gold coin on the street while walking. They look surprised and happy.

Rhyme

Ter sorte, que sorte!

Story

Maria was running late for her train. She arrived at the station just as the doors were closing. She jumped inside and smiled. 'Tive sorte!', she whispered.

Word Web

sortudoazarsorteiosortearsorte grande

Challenge

Say 'Tive sorte' every time something small goes right today.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tener suerte

None, they are cognates.

French high

Avoir de la chance

French requires the partitive article 'de la'.

German moderate

Glück haben

The noun 'Glück' comes before the verb.

Japanese low

運がいい (Un ga ii)

It describes the state of luck as 'good' instead of 'having' it.

Arabic low

محظوظ (Mahzooz)

It is a passive participle meaning 'one who is granted luck'.

Easily Confused

Ter sorte vs Dar sorte vs Ter sorte

Learners mix up the subject and the object.

Ter = I have it. Dar = It gives it to me.

FAQ (1)

No, that is grammatically incorrect. Use 'Eu tenho sorte'.

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