Log inSign up

Tens algum livro?

Tens algum livro?
Do you have any book?
From Lesson 60:Double negation (nunca, nada, ninguém)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Tens algum livro?

o livro
the book
ter
to have
algum
some / any

Questions & Answers about Tens algum livro?

Why doesn't the sentence say Tu tens?
In Portuguese, the verb ending usually tells us who the subject is. Tens specifically means "you have" (informal singular), so the word tu is optional and often dropped to sound more natural.
Does algum mean "some" or "any"?
It means both! English uses "some" for statements and "any" for questions, but Portuguese simply uses algum for both situations. Since livro is a masculine singular word, we use the masculine singular form algum.
Since this lesson is about negative words, how would I answer saying "I don't have any book"?
You would say Não tenho nenhum livro. In Portuguese, to say you don't have "any" of something, you replace algum with the negative word nenhum (meaning "none" or "not any"). Remember the double negation rule: because nenhum comes after the verb, you must also put não before the verb.
Why is there no word for "Do" at the start of this question?
Portuguese doesn't use helper words like "do" or "does" to ask questions. You just use the normal statement word order (literally "You have any book") and raise the pitch of your voice at the end.

Learn Tens algum livro and more in Portuguese

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Portuguese →