Understanding the Verb ‘Ter’
‘Ter’ is one of the most fundamental verbs in Portuguese. It is an irregular verb, and its primary meaning is “to have”. However, just as in many Romance languages, ‘ter’ is used in situations where English would use the verb “to be”. Knowing when and how to use ‘ter’ will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid common mistakes.
How to Use ‘Ter’ to Express Age
In English, we say “I am 25 years old.” However, in Portuguese, the correct way to express your age is to say that you have a certain number of years. The structure is simple:
Ter + [number] + anos
Here are some examples:
- Eu tenho 25 anos. (I am 25 years old.)
- Ela tem 18 anos. (She is 18 years old.)
- Nós temos 30 anos. (We are 30 years old.)
Notice that ‘anos’ means “years,” and you always use the verb ‘ter’ conjugated to match the subject.
Conjugating ‘Ter’ for Different Subjects
Here is the present tense conjugation of ‘ter’:
- Eu tenho (I have)
- Tu tens (You have – informal, mainly used in Portugal)
- Você/Ele/Ela tem (You/He/She has)
- Nós temos (We have)
- Vocês/Eles/Elas têm (You/They have)
So, if you want to say “They are 40 years old”, you would say: Eles têm 40 anos.
Using ‘Ter’ to Express Feelings
Another essential use of ‘ter’ in Portuguese is to describe physical or emotional states. In many cases where English would use “to be” or “to feel”, Portuguese uses ‘ter’ plus a noun. Here are some of the most common expressions:
- Ter fome (to be hungry)
- Ter sede (to be thirsty)
- Ter sono (to be sleepy)
- Ter medo (to be afraid)
- Ter calor (to be hot)
- Ter frio (to be cold)
- Ter sorte (to be lucky)
- Ter pressa (to be in a hurry)
For example:
- Eu tenho fome. (I am hungry.)
- Ela tem medo de aranhas. (She is afraid of spiders.)
- Nós temos sono. (We are sleepy.)
Again, remember to conjugate ‘ter’ according to the subject of the sentence.
Common Mistakes and Tips
One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is using ‘ser’ or ‘estar’ instead of ‘ter’ when talking about age or these particular feelings. For example, saying “Eu sou 25 anos” is incorrect; the right way is “Eu tenho 25 anos.”
To help you remember, think of age and these feelings as things you “have” in Portuguese, not things you “are” or “feel”. Practice with real-life examples, and use language learning apps like Talkpal to reinforce these patterns through conversation and exercises.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to internalize the use of ‘ter’ for age and feelings is through practice. Try creating your own sentences about yourself and your friends, or use resources like the Talkpal blog to find exercises and interactive lessons. The more you practice, the more natural these expressions will become.
Conclusion
Mastering the verb ‘ter’ to express age and feelings is a significant step toward fluency in Portuguese. By understanding and practicing these structures, you will be able to communicate more naturally and accurately. For more tips and interactive practice, explore the Talkpal AI language learning blog and take your Portuguese skills to the next level!
