ter que + Infinitive

Obligation with Ter

Level 1

ter (conjugated) + que/de + infinitive = 'have to' do something.

How It Works

In Portuguese, when you want to say you 'have to' do something, you use the verb ter.

1. Conjugation:
The verb ter must change to match the person who has the obligation. For example:

  • Eu tenho que... (I have to...)
  • Você/Ele/Ela tem que... (You/He/She has to...)
  • Nós temos que... (We have to...)
  • Vocês/Eles/Elas têm que... (You all/They have to...)

2. The Linker (que or de):
Unlike English which uses 'to' (have to go), Portuguese uses a linker. While que is very common in spoken language, de is the standard form for expressing obligation in formal writing and European Portuguese.

3. The Main Action:
The second verb always stays in its infinitive form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir).

4. Usage and Nuance:
This pattern is used for:

  • External obligations: 'I have to work tomorrow.'
  • Strong advice: 'You have to try this pizza!'
  • Necessity: 'We have to leave now to catch the bus.'

Regional and Formal Notes: In Brazil, ter que is dominant in everyday conversation, but ter de is frequently used in formal writing and literature. In Portugal, ter de is the preferred standard for expressing obligation. You will hear both, and becoming proficient in using both linkers will help you adapt to different social contexts.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu tenho que estudar para a prova.

    I have to study for the exam.

    Word by Word: I have that to study for the exam.

    'Tenho' is the first-person singular conjugation of 'ter'.

  2. Você tem que comer mais vegetais.

    You have to eat more vegetables.

    Word by Word: You have that to eat more vegetables.

    Here, the pattern is used to give a strong suggestion or piece of advice.

  3. Nós temos que comprar pão.

    We have to buy bread.

    Word by Word: We have that to buy bread.

    'Temos' matches the subject 'nós' (we).

  4. Eles têm que chegar cedo amanhã.

    They have to arrive early tomorrow.

    Word by Word: They have that to arrive early tomorrow.

    Note the circumflex accent on 'têm' to indicate the plural third-person.

  5. Tens que ver este filme!

    You have to see this movie!

    Word by Word: Have (you) that to see this movie!

    Using the 'tu' form (tens) common in Portugal and parts of Brazil.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'para' instead of 'que' to translate 'to'.

    Eu tenho para ir agora.
    Eu tenho que ir agora.

    English speakers often try to translate 'have to' literally using 'para', but 'ter que' is the correct fixed expression.

  • Forgetting to conjugate the verb 'ter'.

    Nós ter que trabalhar.
    Nós temos que trabalhar.

    The auxiliary verb 'ter' must always agree with the subject in person and number.

  • Omitting the circumflex accent in the plural 'têm'.

    Eles tem que sair.
    Eles têm que sair.

    In written Portuguese, 'tem' is singular and 'têm' is plural. They sound the same, but the accent is required for correct spelling.

How It Connects

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ter que + InfinitiveLevel 1Obligation with Ter

Learn This First

To express obligation using 'ter que', you first need to know how to conjugate the verb 'ter' (to have) in the present tense. Additionally, you must understand how to identify the subject of the sentence and be familiar with the infinitive form of verbs.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

ter queter