Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Nós temos uma boa ideia!

Nós temos uma boa ideia!

We have a good idea!

Breakdown of Nós temos uma boa ideia!

nós

ter

to have

a / an / some (all forms)

bom

good

Questions & Answers about Nós temos uma boa ideia!

Why do we use uma instead of um here?

In Portuguese, the word for "a" or "an" has to match the gender of the noun. Because ideia (idea) is a feminine noun, we use the feminine article uma. If the noun were masculine, we would use um.

Wait, shouldn't the adjective go after the noun? Why is it uma boa ideia and not uma ideia boa?

Normally, yes! In Portuguese, adjectives usually come after the noun. But a few common, short adjectives are exceptions to this rule. The adjective for "good" (bom or boa) is one of them, so it usually goes right before the noun it describes.

Could I drop the word nós and just say Temos uma boa ideia?

Absolutely! In Portuguese, the verb ending usually tells you who is doing the action. Since temos only ever means "we have", the word nós (we) is optional. Leaving it out makes you sound very natural!