How to say “I have” and “I want” in Portuguese basics

Introduction

Learning how to say I have and I want in Brazilian Portuguese gives you instant power in everyday interactions. These two verbs are useful for talking about possessions, needs, desires, and making requests. This guide explains forms, pronunciation tips, common phrases, and practical examples for true beginners.

Why I have and I want are essential

Two verbs cover a large part of basic communication: ter (to have) and querer (to want). Ter is used for possession, age, obligation in some constructions, and certain expressions. Querer expresses desires, requests, and polite offers. Mastering present-tense forms of these verbs lets you say things like I have water, I want coffee, I have three children, and I want to go.

Present-tense forms: ter and querer

Start with the present indicative, since beginners use it most in conversations, menus, signs, and forms.

ter (to have) — eu tenho, você/ele/ela tem, nós temos, vocês/eles/elas têm

querer (to want) — eu quero, você/ele/ela quer, nós queremos, vocês/eles/elas querem

Notice the common patterns: first person singular often ends with -o (tenho, quero) and third person singular ends with -e or -m depending on the verb (tem, quer).

Pronunciation tips

eu tenho — pronounce like eh-oo TEH-nyoo (the nh is like the ny in canyon)

eu quero — pronounce like eh-oo KEH-roo (r is like a soft d or guttural r depending on region; for beginners a soft d-like r works)

você tem — voh-SEH tem (final m nasalizes the vowel slightly)

você quer — voh-SEH KEHR

Common beginner phrases with eu tenho

Use eu tenho to state possession, features, or facts about yourself.

eu tenho um carro — I have a car

eu tenho uma casa — I have a house

eu tenho dois filhos — I have two children

eu tenho fome — I am hungry (note: ter is used for physical states in Portuguese; English uses to be)

eu tenho sede — I am thirsty

eu tenho 25 anos — I am 25 years old (literal: I have 25 years)

eu tenho uma pergunta — I have a question

eu tenho tempo — I have time

How ter works differently from English

In Brazilian Portuguese, ter is used where English often uses to be. For physical sensations, age, and obligation (in some constructions), ter is the natural verb. Examples above show eu tenho fome versus English I am hungry. Learn these patterns early to avoid literal translations that sound wrong.

Common beginner phrases with eu quero

Use eu quero to express wants, requests, and preferences. Quero can be direct but is widely used in everyday speech.

eu quero água — I want water

eu quero um café — I want a coffee

eu quero ir ao banheiro — I want to go to the bathroom

eu quero comprar isso — I want to buy this

eu quero aprender português — I want to learn Portuguese

eu quero pedir ajuda — I want to ask for help

eu quero um desconto — I want a discount (useful in markets)

Polite ways to say I want

Quero is normal in informal contexts. For more polite or formal requests, use gostaria (from gostar) or você poderia querer is uncommon. Two polite options:

eu gostaria de um café — I would like a coffee

você poderia me ajudar? — could you help me? (useful when combining querer with a polite verb)

Combining ter and querer in practical dialogues

Short dialogues help you see how ter and querer appear in everyday situations.

At a café:

Cliente: eu quero um café, por favor
Barista: você quer com leite? — do you want it with milk?
Cliente: não, eu tenho alergia a leite — no, I have an allergy to milk

At a hotel check-in:

Recepcionista: você tem reserva?
Hóspede: sim, eu tenho uma reserva em nome de Silva — yes, I have a reservation under Silva

Shopping:

Vendedor: você quer experimentar?
Cliente: não, eu tenho o tamanho certo — no, I have the right size

Useful short phrases and signs you will see

Menus, signs, and forms often include vocabulary built on ter and querer.

ter vaga — to have a vacancy / available spot

ter desconto — to have a discount

quero pagar — I want to pay

quero levar para viagem — I want to take away (useful in restaurants)

tenho uma reserva — I have a reservation

Practice examples for beginners

Translate and say these out loud, then use them in real situations.

1 eu tenho dois ingressos para o cinema — I have two tickets for the cinema

2 eu quero dois bilhetes por favor — I want two tickets please

3 eu tenho medo de avião — I am afraid of flying (literal: I have fear of airplane)

4 eu quero um quarto com vista — I want a room with a view

5 eu tenho uma mochila grande — I have a large backpack

Negative forms and short answers

Negatives are simple: add não before the verb.

eu não tenho — I do not have / I don’t have

eu não quero — I do not want / I don’t want

Short responses:

tenho — I have (informal short answer)

não tenho — I don’t have

quero — I want

não quero — I don’t want

Common mistakes beginners make

1 Using ter for wants: avoid saying eu tenho água when you mean I want water. Use eu quero água or eu gostaria de água.

2 Literal translation of I am hungry: saying eu sou fome is wrong — correct is eu tenho fome.

3 Wrong conjugation: saying eu tem or eu quer is incorrect. Use eu tenho and eu quero.

4 Overusing quero in very formal settings: prefer eu gostaria in polite contexts, such as formal service or business meetings.

Quick tips to memorize ter and querer

1 Make flashcards with eu tenho / eu quero on one side and meaning plus an example on the other side.

2 Create simple real-life sentences you will use: eu quero água, eu tenho dinheiro, eu quero ir, eu tenho 30 anos.

3 Practice with role-play situations: order food, ask for directions, book a room. Use both ter and querer naturally.

4 Listen and repeat short dialogues from Brazilian sources, focusing on rhythm and the nh sound in tenho.

Mini practice dialog for role-play

Use this with a study partner or out loud by yourself.

Pessoa A: você tem troco para cinquenta?
Pessoa B: não, eu não tenho. você quer usar cartão?
Pessoa A: eu quero pagar em dinheiro. preciso de troco.

Extra beginner vocabulary related to ter and querer

água — water

comida — food

dinheiro — money

banheiro — bathroom

reserva — reservation

ingresso — ticket

quarto — room

ajuda — help

Short practice exercises

Convert these English sentences into Brazilian Portuguese using ter or querer.

1 I have two bags

2 I want a coffee

3 I am thirsty

4 I do not have a reservation

5 I would like a table for two (hint use gostaria)

Answers

1 eu tenho duas bolsas

2 eu quero um café

3 eu tenho sede

4 eu não tenho reserva

5 eu gostaria de uma mesa para dois

Conclusion

Mastering eu tenho and eu quero early will open many practical communication doors in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on present tense conjugations, learn the idiomatic uses of ter for states like hunger and age, and use gostaria for polite requests. Practice with short real-life sentences, and you will feel confident ordering, asking, and explaining basic needs quickly.