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Eu tenho um selo antigo.

Eu tenho um selo antigo.
I have an old stamp.
FromLesson 17inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Eu tenho um selo antigo.

eu
I
um
a
ter
to have
antigo
old
o selo
the stamp

Questions & Answers about Eu tenho um selo antigo.

What does tenho mean in the sentence?
tenho is the first-person singular present form of the verb ter, which means “to have.” It indicates that the speaker possesses something.
Why is the indefinite article um used before selo?
um is the masculine singular form of “a/an” in Portuguese. It’s used here because selo is a singular, masculine noun, just like “a stamp” in English.
What does selo refer to in this sentence?
In this context, selo most commonly means a postage stamp. Although selo can also refer to a seal (as in an imprint or stamp used for authentication), the provided meaning implies it’s talking about a stamp one might collect.
Why is the adjective antigo placed after selo, and what does its position indicate?
In Portuguese, adjectives like antigo often follow the noun they modify. Here, antigo describes selo as being old or antique. Its placement after the noun follows common Portuguese word order and emphasizes the quality of the stamp.
How does the structure of the sentence compare to its English equivalent?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object order, similar to English. Eu translates as “I” (the subject), tenho as “have” (the verb), and um selo antigo as “an old stamp” (the object). The main differences lie in the placement of adjectives and the agreement of articles with the noun, which are typical features of Portuguese grammar.
Is there a difference between using antigo versus velho to describe the stamp?
Yes. While both antigo and velho describe something old, antigo often conveys a sense of historical or collectible value, whereas velho can simply mean something that is aged or worn out. In this sentence, antigo suggests that the stamp may have historical charm or significance.
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