Questions & Answers about Ela tem bom coração.
Why is it bom and not boa?
Because coração is a masculine noun in Portuguese: o coração.
Adjectives usually agree with the noun they describe, so:
- bom coração = masculine
- boa pessoa = feminine
Even though ela refers to a woman, bom is describing coração, not ela.
Why is there no um in Ela tem bom coração?
In Portuguese, especially in set expressions, you can often leave out the article where English would naturally include one.
So both of these are possible:
- Ela tem bom coração.
- Ela tem um bom coração.
The version without um sounds a little more idiomatic and general, like saying she is kind-hearted by nature. The version with um is also correct and may sound slightly more concrete or emphatic.
Is ter really used this way? It looks like to have, but in English we say she has a good heart meaning she is kind.