Portuguese Phrase
Você tem uma caneta?
Meaning
A polite question asking whether the listener possesses a pen. It can be used to request a pen, to check if someone can lend one, or simply to verify ownership.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal settings—classrooms, offices, cafés, or when you need to borrow a pen from a friend or colleague. It’s a safe, neutral way to ask without sounding demanding.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêtemumacaneta?
Você
Second‑person singular pronoun. In most of Brazil it is the default way to address someone informally.
tem
Present‑tense form of the verb *ter* (to have). It agrees with the subject *você* (third‑person singular form).
uma
Indefinite article for feminine nouns, equivalent to English “a”.
caneta
Feminine noun meaning “pen”. The –a ending signals feminine gender, so the article must be *uma*.
🗨In Conversation
Você tem uma caneta?
Do you have a pen?
Sim, aqui está. Precisa de outra?
Yes, here you go. Do you need another one?
✕Common Mistakes
Você tem um caneta?
The noun *caneta* is feminine, so the article must be *uma*, not *um*.
Você tem a caneta?
Using the definite article *a* changes the meaning to “the pen” (a specific pen), which is not what you want when asking generally.
Você tens uma caneta?
In Brazilian Portuguese the verb *ter* with *você* uses the third‑person form *tem*, not the second‑person *tens* (used in European Portuguese).
↔Alternatives
Você tem caneta?
Do you have a pen?
Tem uma caneta?
Got a pen?
Você tem uma caneta para mim?
Do you have a pen for me?
O senhor tem uma caneta?
Do you (formal) have a pen?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, *você* is the standard informal “you”, but in very formal contexts—especially with older people or in business—you might hear *o senhor* / *a senhora*. Also, Brazilians often ask for a pen with a smile; a friendly tone makes the request feel less like a demand.