Breakdown of Tenho vinte cêntimos no bolso.
ter
to have
no
in the / on the / at the (m, f, pl forms: na, nos, nas)
o bolso
the pocket
vinte
twenty
o cêntimo
the cent
Questions & Answers about Tenho vinte cêntimos no bolso.
Why is there no word for "I" before Tenho?
Where does the word no come from?
no is a mandatory mash-up (contraction) of the preposition em (in/on/at) and the masculine word for "the" (o). Together, they become no (in the).
The translation says "in my pocket", but doesn't no just mean "in the"?
Yes, literally it says "in the pocket". In Portuguese, it is very common to leave out possessive words like "my" (meu) when talking about body parts, clothing, or personal items. Saying no bolso is the most natural way to express "in my pocket" when it is obvious whose pocket it is.
Is bolso the word for a handbag or purse?
No, bolso specifically means a pocket in your clothing. A handbag or purse is usually called a mala or bolsa. Because bolso and bolsa look and sound so similar, they are a common mix-up for beginners!
Learn Tenho vinte cêntimos no bolso 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