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Tenho fome.

Tenho fome.
I am hungry.
FromLesson 16inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Tenho fome.

eu
I
ter
to have
a fome
the hunger

Questions & Answers about Tenho fome.

What is the literal meaning of tenho in the sentence tenho fome?
Tenho is the first person singular form of the verb ter, which means to have. Literally, tenho fome translates as I have hunger, though idiomatically it means I am hungry.
Why does Portuguese use a construction that translates literally to I have hunger instead of I am hungry?
In Portuguese, many states such as hunger are expressed using the verb ter (to have). This idiomatic expression reflects how the language conveys certain conditions: instead of describing oneself as being in a state (like being hungry), you express it as having that feeling.
Do I need to include a subject pronoun (like eu) when saying tenho fome?
No, including the subject pronoun is unnecessary because the verb conjugation in Portuguese already indicates that the subject is I. The sentence tenho fome is complete and clear without it.
Are there alternative ways to express the idea of being hungry in Portuguese?
Yes, another common expression is estou com fome, which translates literally to I am with hunger. Both tenho fome and estou com fome are understood to mean I am hungry, though tenho fome is very standard in European Portuguese.
Why don’t we use an article before fome, like saying tenho a fome?
In this idiomatic expression, fome is used without an article. Portuguese often omits the definite article in expressions of feelings and states. So, tenho fome is correct, and adding an article (as in tenho a fome) would be grammatically incorrect in this context.
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