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How to Say ‘Well, I have to go.’ in Portuguese

Bem, tenho de ir.

bayng TEN-yoo duh eer

[bayng TEN-yoo duh eer]

💬 Usage Tip: "Have to" is ter de plus the basic verb: tenho de pagar "I have to pay". tenho que is also heard, but de is the classic choice in Portugal.

Phrase Breakdown

Bem, tenho

bayng TEN-yoo

Well, I have

'Bem' is a filler word meaning 'well', with a nasal ending. In 'tenho', the 'nh' sounds like 'ny': 'TE-nyoo'.

Example

Bem, tenho fome.

Well, I'm hungry.

Words in this phrase

Bem

[bayng]

well

Adverb meaning well; with ficar, it means suits someone well.

Example

Termina com bem em “Essa cor fica-lhe bem.”

It ends with well in “That colour suits you.”

tenho

[TEN-yoo]

I have

First person singular of 'ter'; used to form compound expressions about recent experience.

Example

Tenho tentado dormir mais cedo.

I have been trying to sleep earlier.

de ir.

duh eer

to go.

'Ter de' means 'to have to'. 'De ir' blends almost into one sound: 'd'eer'.

Example

Tens de ir já?

Do you have to go already?

Words in this phrase

[duh]

to (in 'ter de')

'Ter de' + infinitive means 'have to'.

Example

Tens de provar isto.

You have to try this.

[eer]

to go

Indicates movement from one place to another.

Example

Vou ir ao supermercado.

I am going to the supermarket.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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