Understanding the Verb Ter in Portuguese
The verb ter primarily means “to have” in Portuguese. It is one of the most commonly used verbs, essential for expressing possession, obligations, and, importantly, existence. While standard or formal Portuguese might use haver or existir to express existence, in everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese, ter is the preferred choice.
Why Is Ter Used to Express Existence?
In colloquial Portuguese, especially in Brazil, people often use ter instead of haver to indicate that something exists or is present somewhere. This mirrors the English structure “there is/are.” Using ter in this way is informal and widely accepted in speech, though in writing or formal contexts, haver is still common.
How to Use Ter to Express Existence
To express that something exists or is present, use ter in the third person singular (tem) or plural (têm), depending on whether what you’re referring to is singular or plural. You can also use it in different tenses to indicate past or future existence.
Structure
Tem + [something] + [place or context]
Não tem + [something] + [place or context] (to indicate non-existence)
Examples in Everyday Portuguese
- Tem um livro na mesa. (There is a book on the table.)
- Tem muitas pessoas na festa. (There are many people at the party.)
- Não tem água na geladeira. (There isn’t any water in the fridge.)
- Tem um supermercado aqui perto. (There is a supermarket nearby.)
- Tinha um cachorro na rua ontem. (There was a dog in the street yesterday.)
Using Ter in Different Tenses
Present: Tem (There is/are)
Past (Imperfect): Tinha (There was/were)
Future: Vai ter (There will be)
- Tem um problema aqui. (There is a problem here.)
- Tinha muitos carros na rua. (There were many cars on the street.)
- Vai ter uma reunião amanhã. (There will be a meeting tomorrow.)
Ter vs. Haver vs. Existir
Haver: In formal written Portuguese, especially in Portugal, haver is used to express existence, like “there is/are.” For example, “Há um livro na mesa.” However, in everyday Brazilian speech, ter is much more common.
Existir: The verb existir literally means “to exist” and can also be used, but it is more formal or used for emphasis.
Summary:
- Tem – most common in Brazilian spoken Portuguese
- Há – used in formal or written language
- Existe – used for emphasis or in formal contexts
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using ter in very formal writing or official documents. Stick to haver or existir in these cases.
- Forgetting to use tem in the third person singular, regardless of who is speaking.
- Translating directly from English and using “é” or “está” to mean “there is/are.” In Portuguese, these mean “is” or “is located,” not “there is/are.”
Practice and Take Your Portuguese Further
To master the use of ter for expressing existence, practice by describing your surroundings and talking about what is present or not present in different situations. For example, look around your home and say sentences like “Tem uma janela no quarto” or “Não tem comida na mesa.”
If you want to practice more and receive personalized feedback, try using tools like Talkpal, which offers AI-powered language learning and helps you communicate naturally in Portuguese. With regular practice, you will soon feel comfortable using ter to express existence just like a native speaker.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use the verb ter to express existence is a crucial step in sounding natural and fluent in Portuguese, especially in Brazil. Remember, while ter is informal and used in speech, haver and existir are preferred in formal contexts. With a bit of practice, you will master this structure and enhance your ability to describe the world around you in Portuguese. For more tips and interactive exercises, check out the Talkpal AI language learning blog and continue your journey to Portuguese fluency!
