In this lesson I will show you how to say “I have to” – as in “I have to work today” – in Portuguese. It is very easy. At the end of this lesson you will find practice exercises.

• To learn how to use the verb Precisar (to need), watch this other lesson.

To express that you have to do something, use one of the following structures:

• Verb Ter in the appropriate conjugation + que + action verb in the infinitive

or

• Verb Ter in the appropriate conjugation + de + action verb in the infinitive

There is no difference between saying “ter que” or “ter de”. It is a matter of habit.

That is easy, right? Let’s see a few examples:

• Eu tenho que trabalhar hoje.

= I have to work today.

• Mariana tem que chegar cedo ao trabalho amanhã.

= Mariana has to get to work early tomorrow.

• Ticiana e Mauro têm de terminar esse projeto até sexta-feira.

= Ticiana and Mauro have to finish this project by Friday.

•  Ontem eu tive que comprar uma impressora nova.

= Yesterday I had to by a new printer.

• Você tem que me dizer o que esta acontecendo.

= You have to tell me what’s going on.

 

Learn more with Street Smart Brazil!

1. Watch this lesson to learn the present tense of the verb Ter. The lesson has several pronunciation tips to get your Portuguese sharp.
2. Get this FREE app for Android with the present tense of power verbs Ser, Estar, Ter, and Ir. It is also available for Kindle Fire on Amazon.com

 

Practice Exercise

Ana is getting ready to go to Brazil to visit her family and friends. Her to do list is below. Translate her list from English to Portuguese. The answers are below.

1. I have to get a haircut.

• Some Things Are Communicated Differently: The Haircut Issue

2. I have to leave everything organized at work.

• Four Meanings and Three Idiomatic Expressions with the Verb DEIXAR in Portuguese

3. I have to buy gifts for family and friends.

• To Get: Pegar versus Comprar

4. My mom has to let me know who is going to pick me up at the airport.

• Você Pode me Pegar? Learn More About the Verb Pegar

5. My brother has to tell me his shoe size so I can get the running shoes he wants.

6. My nieces have to choose what they want as Christmas gifts.

• Forum topic: What presents from here would Brazilians most appreciate?

7. Peter and I have to get our tickets right away.

8. I have to let my friends know that I will be in Brazil for Christmas!

Translation from Portuguese to English:

1. Eu tenho que cortar o cabelo.
2. Eu tenho que deixar tudo organizado no trabalho.
3. Tenho que comprar presentes para a família e os amigos.
4. Minha mãe tem que me dizer quem vai me pegar no aeroporto.
5. Meu irmão tem que me dizer o tamanho do sapato dele para que eu possa comprar o tênis de correr que ele quer.
6. Minhas sobrinhas têm que escolher o que elas querem de presente de Natal.
7. Peter e eu temos que comprar nossas passagens imediatamente.
8. Eu tenho que avisar aos meus amigos que vou estar no Brasil no Natal.

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