eu tenho
In Portuguese, "I have" is expressed as eu tenho.
The phrase eu tenho is used to indicate that the speaker possesses or owns something. It can also be used to express obligation when followed by the particle que and an infinitive verb, forming the phrase eu tenho que (meaning "I have to").
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular pronoun eu (I) and the first-person singular present indicative of ter (to have).
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, the pronoun eu can be omitted because the verb ending tenho already indicates the first-person singular subject.
Did you know?
- In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, tenho is frequently used to mean 'there is' or 'there are', replacing the formal há.
- The verb ter (to have) is used in many Portuguese-speaking cultures to express age, such as saying tenho vinte anos (I have twenty years), rather than using the verb 'to be'.
- In informal speech, the phrase eu tenho can be used to express a feeling of hunger, thirst, or cold, such as tenho fome.
Examples in context
- O que eu tenho?What do I have?This sentence is useful for asking what one possesses using eu tenho.Tatoeba #1190047 by alexmarcelo, translation #24844 by CM
- Eu tenho que ir.I have to go out.This sentence shows how to express an obligation using eu tenho.Tatoeba #6781283 by Ricardo14, translation #2360515 by CK
- Eu tenho uma rã.I have a frog.This sentence demonstrates simple possession using eu tenho.Tatoeba #13712498 by carlosalberto, translation #13711640 by rul
- Eu tenho uma bicicleta.I have a bicycle.
- Eu possuo um carro novo.I possess a new car.
- Eu tô com vontade de comer uma pizza hoje.I feel like having pizza today.
- 1074 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is checking their luggage before leaving for a trip.
- JulianaEu tenho os passaportes aqui.I have the passports here.
- LucasVocê tem certeza?Are you sure?
- JulianaSim, eu tenho tudo na bolsa.Yes, I have everything in the bag.
- LucasQue bom, vamos logo.That's good, let's go.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
