ter
/ˈte(ʁ)/
The English verb 'have' is translated as ter in Portuguese.
ter is the most common and versatile verb used to express possession or the act of having something.
Meaning: to possess (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ter is the most common way to say 'to possess' in spoken Portuguese, possuir is a more formal alternative used for legal or more intense ownership. Additionally, while ter means 'to have', the verb haver is predominantly used to mean 'to exist', though it can also be used to express possession in a formal, written manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal, legal or official contexts, you might see possuir or haver used instead. In very informal settings, if you want to express 'having fun' or 'enjoying' something, the verb curtir is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express an obligation (meaning 'to have to' do something), ter is followed by the preposition que.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈte(ʁ)/
Did you know?
- Portuguese uses ter to describe age, meaning that when someone says tenho vinte anos, they are literally saying 'I have twenty years'.
- Portuguese speakers use ter to express physical states, such as ter fome for 'to be hungry' or ter sede for 'to be thirsty'.
- In informal Brazilian Portuguese, curtir is used to express 'having' a good time, though it literally means 'to tan' or 'to cure' like leather.
Examples in context
- O que você terá?What will you have?This example shows the future tense of ter.Tatoeba #393540 by brauliobezerra, translation #16265 by CK
- Você terá que ir.You'll have to go.This example shows how to express obligation using ter and que.Tatoeba #6780660 by Ricardo14, translation #2548894 by CK
- Vamos ter um bebê.We're going to have a baby.This example shows the use of ter regarding pregnancy.Tatoeba #948863 by alexmarcelo, translation #2713264 by CK
- Fernando tem um carro.Fernando has a car.
- O empresário possui várias propriedades.The businessman has several properties.
- Havia um erro no documento.There was an error in the document.
- Você tem uma bicicleta?Do you have a bike?
- Tô com fome.I'm hungry.
- Eles curtiram o show.They had fun at the concert.
- 2440 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Gabriel are talking about their pets.
- BeatrizVocê tem um cachorro, Gabriel?Do you have a dog, Gabriel?
- GabrielNão, eu não tenho cachorro.No, I don't have a dog.
- BeatrizEu ter gostaria de ter um gato.I would like to have a cat.
- GabrielVocê já tem muitos gatos em casa!You already have many cats at home!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “have” translations and entries ter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
