tenho
tenho is the Portuguese word for "I have".
tenho is used to indicate possession or a state. Notably, while English speakers use the verb "to be" to state their age, in Portuguese you use tenho to express how old you are, such as in the phrase tenho vinte anos.
How does it change in a sentence?
tenho is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb ter.
Did you know?
- The verb ter is frequently used in Brazil as an impersonal verb meaning 'there is' or 'there are', replacing the more formal há.
- The word tenho is a direct descendant of the Latin verb 'tenere', which means 'to hold'. This means when you say 'I have' in Portuguese, you are etymologically saying 'I hold'.
- The Portuguese verb ter can be used to describe physical sensations, such as tenho frio for 'I am cold' or tenho fome for 'I am hungry'.
Examples in context
- Tô com um livroI have a book
- Possuo vasta experiência na área.I possess extensive experience in the field.
- Tenho uma ideia.I have an idea.
- Eu tenho um carro novo.I have a new car.
- Tenho muitas dúvidas sobre isso.I have many doubts about that.
- Eu tenho um irmão e uma irmã.I have one brother and one sister.
Example conversation
Beatriz and Rodrigo are talking about their schedules.
- BeatrizRodrigo, você tem tempo hoje?Rodrigo, do you have time today?
- RodrigoSim, por que você pergunta?Yes, why do you ask?
- BeatrizTenho dois ingressos para o cinema.I have two tickets for the cinema.
- RodrigoQue ótimo! Eu quero ir.That's great! I want to go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tenho, CC BY-SA 4.0.
