Introduction
This article teaches beginners how to build sentences in Brazilian Portuguese using the verbs Ter and Querer. You will learn conjugations, common phrases, vocabulary, examples for everyday situations, and typical mistakes to avoid. Practical examples are included so you can read, listen, and start speaking right away.
Why Ter and Querer are essential
The verbs Ter and Querer are two of the most useful verbs in Brazilian Portuguese. Ter often expresses possession, physical states, and age. Querer expresses desire, intention, or requests. Beginners use them every day in conversations, menus, signs, forms, and messages.
Basic present tense conjugation
Start with the present indicative, the most common form for simple conversations.
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
How to form simple sentences
Use subject + verb + object. Subjects can be omitted in Portuguese when context is clear, but as a beginner it’s helpful to include them.
Possession: subject + ter + noun
Example: Eu tenho um livro.
Desire/request: subject + querer + noun or infinitive verb
Example: Ela quer um café. / Nós queremos viajar.
Common sentence patterns with Ter
Possession: Eu tenho um carro. — I have a car.
Age: Eu tenho 25 anos. — I am 25 years old. Note: in Portuguese you say have age, not am age.
Physical condition or necessity: Eu tenho fome. — I am hungry. Eu tenho sede. — I am thirsty.
Obligation (colloquial): Eu tenho que estudar. — I have to study. Alternative formal: Eu tenho de estudar.
Common sentence patterns with Querer
Wanting things: Eu quero água. — I want water.
Wanting to do something: Eu quero comer. — I want to eat.
Polite requests: Você quer… ? can be less formal. For polite offers, use Quer uma água? — Would you like a water?
Future intention: Eu quero viajar amanhã. — I want to travel tomorrow.
Practical vocabulary and sample phrases
Below are useful words and short phrases using Ter and Querer that beginners meet in daily life.
ter: ter um quarto, ter uma reserva, ter tempo, ter dinheiro, ter problema
querer: querer comprar, querer pedir, querer ajuda, querer ir, querer saber
Everyday examples:
Eu tenho uma reserva no nome de Silva.
— I have a reservation under the name Silva.
Você tem troco para vinte reais?
— Do you have change for twenty reais?
Eu quero um suco de laranja, por favor.
— I want an orange juice, please.
Ele quer falar com o gerente.
— He wants to speak with the manager.
Nós temos tempo às três horas.
— We have time at three o’clock.
Useful mini-dialogues
At a café:
Cliente: Eu quero um café e um pão de queijo.
Barista: Tudo bem. Quer açúcar?
Cliente: Não, obrigado.
On the phone making an appointment:
Eu: Olá, eu tenho uma consulta às nove?
Recepção: Sim, está confirmada. Você quer confirmar por e-mail?
How to use negatives and questions
To make a sentence negative, add não before the verb.
Examples:
Eu não tenho dinheiro hoje. — I don’t have money today.
Você não quer mais suco? — You don’t want more juice?
For questions, intonation often suffices in spoken Portuguese, or flip the subject and verb in writing.
Você tem cartão? — Do you have a card?
Você quer ajuda? — Do you want help?
Short polite forms for beginners
Use por favor to be polite. For requests, you can use Quero… for direct requests or Poderia… for more formality.
Example: Quero pagar, por favor. — I want to pay, please.
More polite: Poderia me trazer a conta, por favor? — Could you bring me the bill, please?
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Using ser or estar instead of ter for age. Incorrect: Eu sou 25 anos. Correct: Eu tenho 25 anos.
Mistake 2: Forgetting conjugation agreement. Incorrect: Eu ter um carro. Correct: Eu tenho um carro.
Mistake 3: Overusing querer in formal contexts. Quero can sound demanding; learn polite alternatives like Gostaria de or Poderia.
Mistake 4: Confusing ter que and ter de. Both mean have to, but ter que is more colloquial. As a beginner either is acceptable, but be aware of register.
Tips for practice
Label objects at home with small notes using Eu tenho + object: Eu tenho uma caneca, Eu tenho um casaco. This helps memorize possession.
Create short daily sentences about your needs: Hoje eu quero água, Agora eu tenho fome, Esta semana eu quero estudar. Keep them simple and relevant.
When ordering or asking for help, try to use Quero + noun or Quero + infinitive; it is natural and immediately useful in Brazil.
Mini exercises for self-study
Fill in the blank with the correct form of Ter or Querer in present tense.
1. Eu ___ um mapa. (to have)
2. Você ___ sorvete? (to want)
3. Nós ___ tempo para conversar. (to have)
4. Eles ___ viajar amanhã. (to want)
Answers: 1 tenho, 2 quer, 3 temos, 4 querem
Practice with real signs and menus
Menus: Eu quero o prato do dia. — I want the dish of the day. Look for Quero on menus where customers indicate choices.
Forms and schedules: Tenho compromisso às 14h. — I have an appointment at 2 PM. Schedules often use Hora or às + time.
Advanced beginner notes: past and future
Past simple for Ter and Querer is useful to talk about recent events. Preterite forms: Eu tive (I had), Eu quis (I wanted).
Example: Ontem eu tive uma reunião. — Yesterday I had a meeting. Eu quis comprar o ingresso, mas não consegui. — I wanted to buy the ticket but could not.
For future intentions you can use Quero + infinitive or Vou querer in some contexts. Eu quero viajar amanhã is common. Vou querer is used when ordering in restaurants to indicate choice for the near future.
Quick reference chart (present)
Eu tenho / Eu quero
Você tem / Você quer
Ele/Ela tem / Ele/Ela quer
Nós temos / Nós queremos
Vocês/Eles têm / Vocês/Eles querem
Conclusion
Mastering Ter and Querer gives beginners powerful tools to express possession, needs, desires, and basic obligations in Brazilian Portuguese. Practice simple sentence patterns, learn common vocabulary, and try real-life mini-dialogues. With the examples and exercises here, you can start speaking and understanding everyday situations confidently.
