Log inSign up

O rapaz tem fome.

O rapaz tem fome.
The boy is hungry.
From Lesson 16:Physical states with ter (ter fome, ter frio)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of O rapaz tem fome.

o rapaz
the boy
ter fome
to be hungry

Questions & Answers about O rapaz tem fome.

Why does the sentence use tem (has) instead of a word for "is"?
In Portuguese, basic physical feelings like hunger, thirst, and cold are expressed using the verb ter (to have). Literally, this sentence translates to "The boy has hunger."
How do I say "I am hungry" using this same pattern?
You use the "I" form of the verb ter, which is tenho. So, "I am hungry" is simply tenho fome (literally, "I have hunger").
If fome means "hunger", do I need an article like "uma" (a) before it?
No, when expressing these everyday states with ter, you do not use an article. You just say tem fome (has hunger), rather than "tem uma fome".
What is the dictionary form of the verb tem?
The infinitive (the base form you will find in a dictionary) is ter, which means "to have". Tem is the form used for he, she, and formal you (ele, ela, você).

Learn O rapaz tem fome 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 →