Portuguese Phrase
Tem lição de casa?
Meaning
Literally, 'Is there homework?'. The speaker is asking whether a teacher or a class has assigned any homework to be done at home.
When to use
Use this phrase right after a lesson, during a break, or when you meet a classmate and want to confirm the amount of work you need to do. It’s informal and works with both teachers and peers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temliçãodecasa?
Ter (tem)
Third‑person singular present of 'ter', used to ask about existence or possession. In questions the verb stays in the same position; no inversion is needed.
Lição de casa
A fixed expression meaning 'homework'. 'Lição' = lesson, 'de' = of, 'casa' = home.
Question intonation
Portuguese forms yes‑no questions by raising intonation at the end of the sentence, not by moving the verb before the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Tem lição de casa?
Do we have homework?
Sim, temos duas páginas de matemática e um exercício de português.
Yes, we have two pages of math and a Portuguese exercise.
✕Common Mistakes
É lição de casa?
Use 'tem' (have) instead of 'é' (is) when asking about the existence of homework.
Tem lição casa?
The preposition 'de' is required to link 'lição' and 'casa'.
Tem lição de casa.
Add a question mark or raise intonation; otherwise it reads as a statement.
↔Alternatives
Há lição de casa?
Is there homework?
Tem dever de casa?
Do you have a homework assignment?
Tem tarefa para casa?
Is there a task for home?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, 'lição de casa' is the most common term, but many schools also use 'dever de casa' or simply 'tarefa'. Teachers may say 'atividade para casa' for a lighter assignment. Keep the tone informal with friends, but with a teacher you can add a polite 'por favor' – e.g., 'Por favor, tem lição de casa?'.