Language/Portuguese/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have
Hi Portuguese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "ter" in Portuguese, which means "to have" in English. To improve your Portuguese Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
How to Conjugate "Ter"
Below is the conjugation of "ter" in the present tense:
| Pronoun | Ter Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Eu | tenho |
| Você | tem |
| Ele/Ela | tem |
| Nós | temos |
| Vocês | têm |
| Eles/Elas | têm |
As you can see, "ter" is a regular verb, meaning it follows the regular conjugation pattern.
Using "Ter" to Talk About Possession
One of the most common uses of "ter" in Portuguese is to talk about possession. In English, we use the verb "to have" in the same way. Here are a few examples:
| Portuguese | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Eu tenho um carro. | I have a car. |
| Você tem um cachorro? | Do you have a dog? |
| Ele tem uma casa muito grande. | He has a very big house. |
Notice that in Portuguese, we always include the pronoun before the verb, even though we omit it in English.
Using "Ter" to Talk About Age
Another common use of "ter" in Portuguese is to talk about age. In English, we say "I am [number] years old," but in Portuguese, we use "ter." Here are a few examples:
| Portuguese | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Eu tenho vinte anos. | I am twenty years old. |
| Você tem quantos anos? | How old are you? |
| Ele tem cinquenta e cinco anos. | He is fifty-five years old. |
Dialogue
A: Oi, você tem irmãos? (Hello, do you have siblings?)
B: Sim, eu tenho um irmão e uma irmã. (Yes, I have a brother and a sister.)
A: Quantos anos você tem? (How old are you?)
B: Eu tenho vinte e três anos. E você? (I am twenty-three years old. And you?)
A: Eu tenho trinta anos. (I am thirty years old.)
Using "Ter" in Idiomatic Expressions
Finally, "ter" is also used in many idiomatic expressions in Portuguese, just like "to have" is in English. Here are a few examples:
| Portuguese | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ter sorte | to be lucky |
| ter pressa | to be in a hurry |
| ter fome | to be hungry |
| ter sede | to be thirsty |
Conclusion
In conclusion, "ter" is a very useful and versatile verb in Portuguese. Not only can we use it to talk about possession and age, but we can also use it in many idiomatic expressions. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎