Ter for age and common states
Portuguese often uses ter in expressions where English uses “to be,” especially for age, hunger, or fear.
Examples
PortugueseTranslation
Tenho vinte anos e tenho sono.
I am twenty years old and I am sleepy.
Ela tem pressa hoje.
She is in a hurry today.
Nós temos medo de errar.
We are afraid of making a mistake.
Pattern
ter + age/state expression
How it works
Portuguese often uses ter in expressions where English uses “to be,” especially for age, hunger, or fear. This pattern typically appears as ter + age/state expression and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- Age is normally expressed with ter, not ser.
- Many physical or emotional states also use ter in fixed expressions.
Why it matters
Begin with the most visible verbs and agreement patterns.
Use in context
This is an important early correction point because it appears in introductions and ordinary daily speech.