você tem
/voˈse ˈtẽj̃/word by word
The English phrase "do you have" is translated into Portuguese as você tem.
você tem is a common and neutral way to ask if someone possesses or owns something.
Which one should you use?
While você tem is standard in much of Brazil, in some regions or more formal settings, one might use tu tens to mean "you have". To ask "do you all have", you should use vocês têm.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, Tu tens or the shortened Tens is used to mean "do you have".
How does it change in a sentence?
você tem is the singular form used when addressing one person. To ask "do you all have", use vocês têm with a circumflex accent on the verb to indicate the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/voˈse ˈtẽj̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to add a word for "do" to form a question, but in Portuguese, you only use the subject and the verb.
Did you know?
- The word você actually originated from a formal expression of extreme politeness, 'your mercy', which was eventually shortened over centuries.
- In Brazil, você tem is the standard, but if you travel to Portugal, using você tem to address someone can actually sound strangely formal or even impersonal.
- In some regions of Brazil, people may omit the word você entirely and simply say tem, relying on context to show they are asking you.
Examples in context
- O que você tem?What do you have?This sentence shows how to ask what someone has using você tem.Tatoeba #729117 by lenon_perez, translation #69589 by CK
- Você tem de ir?Do you have to go?This sentence demonstrates using você tem to express necessity or obligation.Tatoeba #6780666 by Ricardo14, translation #2648549 by CK
- Você tem uma pá?Do you have a shovel?This sentence shows how to use você tem to ask for a specific object.Tatoeba #9239210 by bill, translation #9234345 by CK
- Você tem um lápis?Do you have a pencil?
- O senhor tem algum tempo livre?Do you have any free time, sir?
- A senhora possui experiência nesse campo?Do you have experience in this field, madam?
- Você tem uma caneta?Do you have a pen?
- Tu tens uma bicicleta?Do you have a bicycle?
- Vocês têm algum problema?Do you all have any problem?
- Tens algum livro?Do you have any book?
- Você tem um mapa?Do you have a map?
- Tu tens uma caneca?Do you have a mug?
- A senhora tem uma caneta?Do you have a pen, madam?
- Vocês têm alguns livros?Do you all have some books?
- 563 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Beatriz are at home planning a trip.
- LucasVocê tem o mapa da cidade?Do you have the city map?
- BeatrizSim, eu tenho aqui na mochila.Yes, I have it here in my backpack.
- LucasÓtimo, Beatriz, você é muito organizada.Great, Beatriz, you are very organized.
- BeatrizObrigada, Lucas! Vamos viajar!Thank you, Lucas! Let's travel!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (você, tem) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tem, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
