Tenho saudades de Portugal
To say "I miss Portugal" in Portuguese, you say Tenho saudades de Portugal.
This phrase is used to express a deep, often melancholic, emotional longing for a place or person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb ter (to have) and the noun saudades (longings/nostalgia), literally translating to "I have longings of Portugal".
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which uses a verb to express the concept of missing something, Portuguese uses a construction meaning "I have longings of".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the phrase estar com saudades de Portugal is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun saudades is almost always used in its plural form when expressing this feeling. While Tenho saudades de Portugal is more common, you can also use the verb sentir (to feel) to express the same sentiment, as in Sinto saudades de Portugal.
Did you know?
- While saudades describes longing, it can also be used to describe a 'yearning' for something that has never actually happened or a place one has never visited.
- The feeling expressed in Tenho saudades de Portugal is the core inspiration for fado, a traditional Portuguese music genre known for its mournful melodies and lyrics about fate.
- The word Portugal is derived from the ancient name 'Portucale', which refers to the specific Roman-era settlement of 'Portus Cale'.
Examples in context
- Tenho saudades da terra lusitanaI miss the Lusitanian land
- Agora que mudei, tenho saudades de Portugal.Now that I have moved, I miss Portugal.
- Sempre que vejo o mar, tenho saudades de Portugal.Whenever I see the sea, I miss Portugal.
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are looking at old travel photos.
- LucasOlha esta foto da nossa viagem!Look at this photo from our trip!
- JulianaQue lembrança boa. Tenho saudades de Portugal.What a great memory. I miss Portugal.
- LucasEu também. Precisamos voltar logo.Me too. We need to go back soon.
- JulianaCom certeza, Lucas!Definitely, Lucas!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Portugal, de, tenho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
