Brazilian Portuguese/Lesson 6

Olá! Welcome to Lesson 6 of Brazilian Portuguese. Today we are going to be learning about the verb ter (to have) and possessive adjectives. Later on, we'll learn some vocabulary relating to family and friends which just happens to be this lesson's topic.

The verb "ter"
The verb "ter" (to have) is one of the most important and common verbs in Portuguese (along with ser which you've already learnt). Like many essential verbs, ter is irregular.

This table shows ter in the present tense.

The uses of this verb are pretty simple to figure out but I'm including a couple of examples anyway.

Eu tenho um cão = I have a dog

Você tem um carro? = Do you have a car?

The verb can also be used to say that you have to do something. You do this by taking the verb, then adding the word "que" and finally a verb infinitive.

Eu tenho que fazer meu trabalho = I have to do my work

Você tem que comer os legumes = You have to eat the vegetables

Possessive adjectives
Possessive adjectives are very simple, and are used to show who something belongs to.

Meu gato = My cat

Tua caneta = Your pen

Nossas filhas = Our daughters

Family and friends
Family and friends is today's theme. I've added some useful vocabulary as well as a related exercise to help practice a few grammar concepts you've learnt so far. Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds.

Activity
Read the piece of writing and the statements. Decide if they are true or false.

'''Meu nome é Silvio e eu vivo in Portugal com a minha familia. Minha mãe é chamado Monica e ela trabalha num banco. Ela é baixo e morena. Meu pai é chamado Antonio, tem 50 anos e ele trabalha para uma empresa de Inglês, assim ele fala inglês. Eu vivo com minha irmã tamben. Ela é louro e baixo. Sua nome é Maria e ela não tem um emprego'''

É chamado = Is called

Uma empresa = A company

Assim = So

Um emprego = A job

1. Silvio lives with his family

2. He lives with his grandparents

3. His mother has brown hair

4. His father is 40 years old

5. His father is English

6. His sister doesn't live with him

7. His sister is unemployed

The answers are shown in the next lesson

Translate the following sentences.

1. Eu tenho uma filha

2. Você tem os irmãos?

3. I don't have a grandson

4. Does he have a wife?