Portuguese Phrase
Tem baile na escola?
Meaning
Literally, “Is there a dance at school?” It is used to ask whether a school is organizing a formal or informal dance event, such as a prom, a charity ball, or a cultural celebration.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to find out if a school dance is planned, whether you’re a student, a parent, or a visitor curious about upcoming school activities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tembailenaescola?
Ter (presente)
‘Tem’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb ‘ter’ (to have), used here to ask about the existence of something.
Noun gender
‘Baile’ is a masculine noun, but the article is omitted because the question is about existence, not a specific dance.
Preposition + article = na
‘Na’ is the contraction of ‘em’ + ‘a’, meaning ‘in the/at the’ and agrees with the feminine noun ‘escola’.
Question intonation
In spoken Portuguese the rising intonation at the end signals a yes/no question; the written question mark is optional in informal speech.
🗨In Conversation
Tem baile na escola?
Is there a dance at school?
Sim, vai ser na sexta-feira à noite, depois das aulas.
Yes, it will be on Friday night, after classes.
✕Common Mistakes
Há baile na escola?
‘Há’ also means ‘there is’, but learners often mix it with ‘tem’; both are correct, yet ‘tem’ sounds more colloquial in everyday conversation.
Tem um baile na escola?
Adding ‘um’ changes the nuance to a specific dance; the original question asks about any dance at all.
Tem baile na escola
Missing the question mark is acceptable in informal chat, but in written Portuguese the punctuation clarifies that it’s a question.
↔Alternatives
Vai ter baile na escola?
Will there be a dance at school?
Haverá baile na escola?
Will there be a dance at school?
Tem festa na escola?
Is there a party at school?
Cultural Tip
School dances (baile de formatura, baile de fim de ano) are a big tradition in Brazil, especially in private schools. They often involve formal dress, a live band or DJ, and a buffet. In some regions the event is called ‘baile de gala’ and may be linked to fundraising. When asking about it, it’s polite to add a friendly tone, e.g., ‘Tem baile na escola? Eu ouvi dizer que vai ser muito legal!’