Language/Portuguese/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have

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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"[edit | edit source]

Below is the conjugation of "ter" in the present tense:

Pronoun Ter Conjugation
Eu tenho
VocĂȘ tem
Ele/Ela tem
NĂłs temos
VocĂȘs tĂȘm
Eles/Elas tĂȘm

As you can see, "ter" is a regular verb, meaning it follows the regular conjugation pattern.

Using "Ter" to Talk About Possession[edit | edit source]

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.
VocĂȘ 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[edit | edit source]

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.
VocĂȘ tem quantos anos? How old are you?
Ele tem cinquenta e cinco anos. He is fifty-five years old.

Dialogue[edit | edit source]

A: Oi, vocĂȘ tem irmĂŁos? (Hello, do you have siblings?)

B: Sim, eu tenho um irmĂŁo e uma irmĂŁ. (Yes, I have a brother and a sister.)

A: Quantos anos vocĂȘ tem? (How old are you?)

B: Eu tenho vinte e trĂȘs anos. E vocĂȘ? (I am twenty-three years old. And you?)

A: Eu tenho trinta anos. (I am thirty years old.)

Using "Ter" in Idiomatic Expressions[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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. 😎

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Similarities between French and Portuguese, Portuguese, Indefinite Pronouns & Future Tense.


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