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A1 determiner 9 min read

tua

Examples tua in 30 Seconds
Explanation tua in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn that 'tua' is the feminine version of 'your' for people you know well. You use it with simple feminine nouns like 'casa' (house), 'mãe' (mother), or 'amiga' (friend). The most important thing to remember at this stage is that if the word ends in 'a', you likely need to use 'tua' instead of 'teu'. You will see it in basic questions like 'Qual é a tua morada?' (What is your address?). You should focus on the fact that 'tua' stays the same whether you are talking to a man or a woman, as long as the object you are talking about is feminine. This is different from English, and it takes some practice to get used to. You will also notice that in many textbooks, especially those from Portugal, 'tua' is often preceded by 'a', making it 'a tua'. This is just a grammatical habit and doesn't change the basic meaning of 'your'. Try to practice by labeling things in your room: 'a tua cama' (your bed), 'a tua cadeira' (your chair).
At the A2 level, you start to use 'tua' in more varied contexts, including plural forms ('tuas'). You will begin to notice the difference between 'tua' and 'sua'. At this stage, you should try to be consistent: if you start a conversation using 'tu', continue using 'tua'. You will also encounter 'tua' in common expressions like 'a tua vez' (your turn) or 'a tua opinião' (your opinion). You'll learn that 'tua' can be used after the verb 'ser' to show ownership: 'Esta mala é tua?' (Is this suitcase yours?). You will also start to see how 'tua' works in negative sentences and simple compound sentences. For example, 'Eu gosto da tua ideia' (I like your idea). Notice how 'de' + 'a' becomes 'da' before 'tua'. This is a key contraction to master at this level. You are moving beyond just identifying objects to expressing preferences and asking more detailed questions about other people's lives and belongings.
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the sociolinguistic implications of 'tua'. You understand that using 'tua' implies a certain level of intimacy or informality. You will hear it in more complex narratives, such as stories or movies, where it defines the relationship between characters. You'll also start to use 'tua' with abstract feminine nouns like 'saúde' (health), 'liberdade' (freedom), or 'vontade' (will/desire). For example, 'A tua vontade é o que importa' (Your will is what matters). At this stage, you might also encounter 'tua' in more idiomatic expressions or in the lyrics of popular music. You should be able to distinguish between European Portuguese usage (where 'a tua' is almost mandatory) and Brazilian usage (where 'tua' is often used without the article). You will also learn to use 'tua' in the conditional or subjunctive moods, such as 'Se essa fosse a tua escolha...' (If that were your choice...).
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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'tua' with nuance and precision. You understand that in some Brazilian dialects, 'tua' is used even when the pronoun 'você' is used, and you can identify this as a regionalism rather than a simple 'mistake'. You can use 'tua' for emphasis in arguments or persuasive speech, such as 'A responsabilidade é inteiramente tua!' (The responsibility is entirely yours!). You also begin to appreciate the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of 'tua' in literature and poetry. You can handle complex sentences where multiple possessives are used, ensuring that 'tua' agrees correctly with its noun while other possessives agree with theirs. You'll also explore the use of 'tua' in formal letters that are addressed to someone the writer knows personally, balancing the line between professional distance and personal connection.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the historical development of 'tua' from Latin 'tua'. You can recognize archaic uses in classical Portuguese literature (like Camões or Eça de Queirós) where the rules for possessives might slightly differ from modern colloquial speech. You are aware of the subtle class and regional connotations of using 'tu/tua' versus 'você/sua' in different Lusophone countries, including Angola and Mozambique. You can use 'tua' to create specific stylistic effects in your own writing, perhaps to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to create a very personal tone. You are also capable of explaining these nuances to other learners, including the complex 'mixture of treatment' that occurs in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. Your use of 'tua' is flawless across all moods and tenses, and you can use it in high-level debates or academic discussions about linguistics.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'tua' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can navigate the most subtle social environments, knowing exactly when 'tua' is appropriate and when it might be perceived as a slight or an overstepping of boundaries. You understand the phonetic evolution of the word and its place within the wider Romance language family (comparing it to Spanish 'tuya' or Italian 'tua'). You can analyze the use of 'tua' in contemporary media as a tool for branding or political messaging, where the choice of possessive can signal a specific target demographic. You are also comfortable with the most obscure idiomatic uses and can play with the word in puns or sophisticated wordplay. For you, 'tua' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile tool for expressing identity, relationship, and emphasis in the rich tapestry of the Portuguese language.
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Examples

tua in 30 Seconds

  • Tua is the feminine singular informal 'your' in Portuguese.
  • It must agree with the feminine noun it describes, not the owner.
  • Commonly used in Portugal and Southern/Northeastern Brazil.
  • Can be used with or without a definite article depending on the region.

The Portuguese word tua is a possessive determiner, specifically the feminine singular form of the informal second-person possessive. In English, it translates simply to 'your'. However, unlike English, where 'your' remains static regardless of the object being possessed, Portuguese possessives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Therefore, tua is used exclusively when the object owned is feminine and singular, such as a tua mesa (your table) or a tua ideia (your idea). This word is deeply rooted in the informal register, corresponding to the pronoun tu.

Grammatical Category
Possessive Determiner / Adjective (Feminine Singular)
Register
Informal / Familiar (used with friends, family, and peers)
Agreement Rule
Agrees with the noun possessed, not the person possessing it.

In European Portuguese (Portugal), tua is the standard way to address someone you are on familiar terms with. If you are speaking to a friend about their sister, you would say a tua irmã. In Brazilian Portuguese, the usage is more nuanced. While tu and its possessives like tua are common in regions like the South (Rio Grande do Sul) and the Northeast, many other regions prefer the pronoun você, which traditionally takes the possessive sua. However, even in regions where você is the dominant pronoun, speakers often mix registers and use tua in casual conversation, though this is technically a grammatical inconsistency.

Esta é a tua caneta nova?

Translation: Is this your new pen?

Understanding when to use tua versus sua is a vital step for learners. If you are following the tu paradigm, tua is your go-to for feminine nouns. If you are following the você paradigm (more formal or standard Brazilian), sua is used. It is also important to note that in Portugal, it is very common to place a definite article before the possessive (a tua), whereas in Brazil, the article is often omitted (tua).

Eu vi a tua foto no jornal de hoje.

Translation: I saw your photo in today's newspaper.

Furthermore, tua carries a sense of intimacy. Using it with a boss or a stranger in a formal setting might come across as overly familiar or even disrespectful in some cultures, particularly in Portugal where social hierarchies are often reflected in language. In those cases, sua (referring to você or o senhor/a senhora) is the safer and more polite choice. However, among younger generations and in casual environments, tua is pervasive and friendly.

A tua mãe ligou para avisar que o jantar está pronto.

Translation: Your mother called to say that dinner is ready.

Using tua correctly requires a solid understanding of Portuguese noun gender. Every noun in Portuguese is either masculine or feminine, and tua must align with feminine nouns. For example, 'house' (casa) is feminine, so you say a tua casa. 'Car' (carro) is masculine, so you would use o teu carro instead. The presence of the article (a) is optional in some dialects but highly recommended in European Portuguese for a natural sound.

Placement
Usually precedes the noun: [Article] + tua + [Noun].
Agreement
Changes to 'tuas' if the noun is plural (e.g., as tuas chaves).

One of the most common sentence structures involves asking questions about ownership. When you want to ask 'Is this yours?', and the object is feminine, you can say Esta é tua? or Esta é a tua?. The latter is more specific, often implying 'Is this the one that belongs to you?'. In negative sentences, the word não typically precedes the verb, not the possessive: Esta não é a tua mochila (This is not your backpack).

Não encontro a tua chave em lugar nenhum.

Translation: I can't find your key anywhere.

In more complex sentences, tua can be used to link ideas or show relationships. For instance, when describing someone's qualities: A tua inteligência é admirável (Your intelligence is admirable). Note that 'intelligence' (inteligência) is feminine. If you were to describe a masculine quality like 'courage' (coragem - which is actually feminine in Portuguese, let's use talento which is masculine), you would switch to teu: O teu talento é admirável.

A tua irmã disse que você chegaria tarde.

Translation: Your sister said you would arrive late.

Finally, tua can appear at the end of a sentence for emphasis or as a predicate adjective. For example: A culpa é tua! (The fault is yours!). This is a very common way to assign responsibility or ownership emphatically. In this position, the definite article is never used before tua.

A decisão final é tua, não minha.

Translation: The final decision is yours, not mine.

The distribution of tua is one of the most interesting aspects of Portuguese sociolinguistics. If you land in Lisbon, Porto, or any city in Portugal, you will hear tua constantly. It is the default way friends, colleagues of the same rank, and family members speak to each other. In a Portuguese café, a waiter might ask a regular customer, 'Como está a tua família?' (How is your family?).

In Brazil, the situation is more diverse. If you are in Porto Alegre or Florianópolis (Southern Brazil), tua is the standard informal possessive. However, in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, while tu is sometimes used, você is more common, leading to the use of sua. Yet, even in você-dominant areas, tua appears frequently in music—especially in genres like MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), Bossa Nova, and Samba. Songwriters often prefer the sound of tua over sua because it sounds more poetic and intimate.

'É tua essa boca que eu quero beijar' - A common romantic lyric style.

Translation: It is your mouth that I want to kiss.

You will also encounter tua in literature and religious texts. In older translations of the Bible or in classical poetry, tua is used to address the divine or a beloved in a way that feels both humble and direct. In modern digital communication, like WhatsApp or Twitter, Portuguese speakers frequently use tua in its abbreviated forms or within slang, though the word itself is already short and easy to type.

In TV shows and movies (especially those dubbed into Portuguese), tua is often used to translate the English 'your' when the characters are close. It helps establish a rapport between characters that sua might not convey as effectively in a European Portuguese context. If you are watching a Portuguese 'telenovela', listen for the distinction between how a servant addresses a master (sua) versus how siblings talk to each other (tua).

A tua presença faz toda a diferença aqui.

Translation: Your presence makes all the difference here.

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is choosing the possessive based on the gender of the owner rather than the object owned. In English, we say 'his house' or 'her house'. In Portuguese, if the house (casa) is feminine, and it belongs to 'you' (informal), it is always tua casa, regardless of whether 'you' are a man or a woman. This 'reverse logic' compared to English possessive pronouns (his/her) often trips up beginners.

Mistake 1
Using 'teu' for feminine objects because the owner is male.
Mistake 2
Mixing 'você' with 'tua'. While common in Brazil, it is technically incorrect in formal grammar.
Mistake 3
Forgetting the plural 'tuas' when the noun is plural.

Another common error is the omission or incorrect use of the definite article. In Portugal, saying Tua mãe está aqui sounds slightly unnatural or overly poetic; the standard is A tua mãe está aqui. Conversely, in many parts of Brazil, adding the a can sound redundant or overly formal depending on the local dialect. Learners should try to stick to the pattern of the region they are focusing on.

Incorrect: O teu caneta (Pen is feminine).

Correct: A tua caneta.

Finally, there is the 'ambiguity trap' with the word sua. In Portuguese, sua can mean 'your' (formal), 'his', 'her', or 'their'. To avoid this confusion, speakers often use tua specifically to mean 'your' (informal) because tua can *only* mean 'your'. If you use sua, your listener might wonder if you are talking about them or someone else. Using tua clears up that ambiguity immediately.

Esta é a tua última chance de explicar o que aconteceu.

Translation: This is your last chance to explain what happened.

To truly master tua, you must understand its relationship with other possessives. The most direct alternative is sua. While both can translate to 'your', sua is tied to the third-person pronoun você, whereas tua is tied to the second-person tu. In many contexts, they are interchangeable in terms of meaning but not in terms of tone or grammatical consistency.

Sua
The 'polite' or 'standard Brazilian' alternative for 'your'. Also means 'his/her'.
Teu
The masculine singular version. Used for objects like 'livro' (book) or 'pai' (father).
Vossa
A very formal or archaic plural 'your'. Rarely heard today except in religious or legal contexts.

Another way to express possession without using tua is the prepositional phrase de ti (of you). This is much less common as a possessive and usually appears after verbs or in specific idiomatic structures. For example, instead of a tua saudade, one might say a saudade de ti (the longing for you), which sounds more poetic and focuses on the person rather than the 'possession' of the feeling.

Não é a tua vez, é a minha.

Translation: It's not your turn, it's mine.

In plural contexts, tua becomes tuas. If you are talking to a group of people (informally, mainly in Portugal), you would use vossa (feminine singular) or vossas (feminine plural). However, in Brazil, the plural 'your' is almost always sua/suas (referring to vocês). Understanding these regional shifts is key to sounding like a native speaker.

Guarda as tuas coisas antes de sair.

Translation: Put your things away before leaving.
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Examples by Level

1

Onde está a tua mãe?

Where is your mother?

Uses 'a tua' because 'mãe' is feminine singular.

2

A tua casa é muito bonita.

Your house is very beautiful.

'Casa' is feminine, so we use 'tua'.

3

Esta é a tua caneta?

Is this your pen?

Question form using the possessive before the noun.

4

Qual é a tua cor favorita?

What is your favorite color?

'Cor' is feminine in Portuguese.

5

Eu gosto da tua camisola.

I like your sweater.

'Da' is the contraction of 'de' + 'a'.

6

A tua irmã é simpática.

Your sister is nice.

Subject-possessive agreement.

7

Abre a tua prenda agora.

Open your gift now.

Imperative verb followed by possessive.

8

Como se chama a tua gata?

What is your cat's name?

'Gata' is feminine (female cat).

1

A tua opinião é importante para mim.

Your opinion is important to me.

'Opinião' is feminine singular.

2

Perdi a tua morada, podes repetir?

I lost your address, can you repeat it?

Possessive used as a direct object.

3

A tua mala está no carro.

Your suitcase is in the car.

Simple locative sentence.

4

Não vi a tua mensagem ontem.

I didn't see your message yesterday.

Negative sentence structure.

5

A tua comida favorita é pizza?

Is your favorite food pizza?

Interrogative with possessive.

6

Esqueceste a tua carteira na mesa.

You forgot your wallet on the table.

Reflexive verb usage.

7

A tua escola fica perto daqui?

Is your school near here?

Asking about locations.

8

Gosto muito da tua nova bicicleta.

I really like your new bicycle.

Adjective 'nova' follows the noun.

1

A tua saúde deve ser a tua prioridade.

Your health should be your priority.

Double use of 'tua' for different feminine nouns.

2

Fiquei admirado com a tua coragem.

I was amazed by your courage.

'Coragem' is feminine in Portuguese.

3

A tua ausência foi notada por todos.

Your absence was noticed by everyone.

Passive voice context.

4

Espero que a tua viagem tenha sido boa.

I hope your trip was good.

Subjunctive mood context.

5

A tua dedicação ao trabalho é exemplar.

Your dedication to work is exemplary.

Abstract noun agreement.

6

Não quero interferir na tua vida privada.

I don't want to interfere in your private life.

Prepositional phrase 'na' (em + a).

7

A tua resposta foi muito inteligente.

Your answer was very intelligent.

Linking verb with adjective.

8

Fiquei feliz com a tua promoção.

I was happy with your promotion.

Expressing emotion about someone else's achievement.

1

A tua atitude perante o problema foi correta.

Your attitude towards the problem was correct.

Formal abstract noun usage.

2

Confio plenamente na tua capacidade de liderança.

I fully trust your leadership ability.

Compound noun phrase.

3

A tua versão dos factos é um pouco diferente.

Your version of the facts is a bit different.

Comparing perspectives.

4

A tua persistência acabou por dar frutos.

Your persistence eventually paid off.

Idiomatic resultative expression.

5

Não deixes que a tua insegurança te impeça.

Don't let your insecurity stop you.

Negative imperative with subjunctive.

6

A tua influência na empresa é inegável.

Your influence in the company is undeniable.

High-level vocabulary.

7

A tua generosidade tocou o meu coração.

Your generosity touched my heart.

Metaphorical language.

8

A tua interpretação da música foi sublime.

Your interpretation of the music was sublime.

Artistic context.

1

A tua eloquência cativou toda a audiência.

Your eloquence captivated the entire audience.

Sophisticated vocabulary choice.

2

Questiono a tua premissa básica neste argumento.

I question your basic premise in this argument.

Academic/Critical context.

3

A tua conduta foi irrepreensível durante a crise.

Your conduct was irreproachable during the crisis.

Formal evaluation.

4

A tua tese de doutoramento é brilhante.

Your doctoral thesis is brilliant.

Academic specific terminology.

5

Sinto falta da tua perspicácia nas reuniões.

I miss your perceptiveness in the meetings.

Nuanced personality trait.

6

A tua intervenção foi cirúrgica e necessária.

Your intervention was surgical and necessary.

Metaphorical use of 'cirúrgica'.

7

A tua lealdade é o teu traço mais nobre.

Your loyalty is your noblest trait.

Moral/Ethical description.

8

A tua renúncia ao cargo surpreendeu a todos.

Your resignation from the position surprised everyone.

Professional context.

1

A tua mundividência reflete uma cultura vasta.

Your worldview reflects a vast culture.

Extremely advanced vocabulary ('mundividência').

2

A tua prosa é imbuída de um lirismo raro.

Your prose is imbued with a rare lyricism.

Literary analysis register.

3

A tua reticência em falar sugere cautela.

Your reluctance to speak suggests caution.

Psychological nuance.

4

A tua aura de mistério é o que te define.

Your aura of mystery is what defines you.

Abstract/Philosophical tone.

5

A tua ascendência sobre o grupo é evidente.

Your ascendancy over the group is evident.

Power dynamics context.

6

A tua idiossincrasia torna-te uma pessoa única.

Your idiosyncrasy makes you a unique person.

Scientific/Literary term.

7

A tua benevolência não conhece fronteiras.

Your benevolence knows no borders.

Hyperbolic formal praise.

8

A tua análise peca por ser demasiado subjetiva.

Your analysis fails by being too subjective.

Critical academic register.

Common Collocations

a tua mãe
a tua vez
a tua casa
a tua opinião
a tua ajuda
a tua vida
a tua escola
a tua cara
a tua saúde
a tua irmã

Common Phrases

À tua!

— A short version of 'Cheers!' or 'To your health!'. Used during toasts.

Levantem os copos! À tua!

Faz a tua parte.

— Do your part. Encouraging someone to take responsibility.

Eu ajudo, mas faz a tua parte.

Não é da tua conta.

— It's none of your business. A rude way to tell someone to stop asking questions.

Isso não é da tua conta!

Pela tua saúde.

— For your health's sake. Often used as a plea or reason for an action.

Pela tua saúde, para de fumar.

É a tua cara.

— It's just like you. Used when something matches someone's personality perfectly.

Esse vestido é a tua cara.

A tua sorte é...

— Your luck is... used to explain why someone was fortunate.

A tua sorte é que eu cheguei cedo.

Se fosse a tua...

— If it were yours... used for comparison.

Se fosse a tua mãe, não dirias isso.

Tua senhoria

— Your lordship. An old-fashioned formal address.

Como deseja, tua senhoria.

Onde é a tua?

— Where is yours? Asking for the location of something belonging to the person.

A minha casa é aqui. Onde é a tua?

Com a tua permissão.

— With your permission. A polite request.

Vou sair agora, com a tua permissão.

Idioms & Expressions

"Cuidar da tua vida"

— To mind your own business.

Vai cuidar da tua vida e deixa-me em paz.

Informal/Slang
"Estar na tua"

— To be in your own world or doing your own thing.

Não te preocupes, ele está na tua.

Slang
"Puxar a brasa à tua sardinha"

— To look out for your own interests (literally: to pull the coals to your sardine).

Ele está apenas a puxar a brasa à tua sardinha.

Informal
"A tua batata está a assar"

— You're in trouble (literally: your potato is roasting).

Cuidado, a tua batata está a assar com o chefe.

Informal
"Na tua mão"

— Under your control or at your mercy.

Agora o projeto está na tua mão.

Neutral
"A tua palavra é lei"

— Your word is law (you have the final say).

Nesta casa, a tua palavra é lei.

Informal
"Dar a tua cara a tapa"

— To take a risk or expose oneself to criticism.

Precisas de dar a tua cara a tapa se queres vencer.

Informal
"A tua hora vai chegar"

— Your time will come (often used as a threat or a promise of karma).

Não te preocupes, a tua hora vai chegar.

Informal
"Perder a tua cabeça"

— To lose your temper or sanity.

Não percas a tua cabeça por causa disso.

Neutral
"Fazer a tua cama"

— To deal with the consequences of your actions (you made your bed, now li

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