Portuguese Phrase
Tem alguma coisa pra declarar?
Meaning
Literally ‘Do you have anything to declare?’, this is the standard question customs officers ask travelers at airports, border checkpoints, or when entering a country. It can also be used in a more informal sense, like asking someone if they have anything they want to say.
When to use
Use this phrase at airports, seaports, or any official checkpoint when a customs officer asks you about goods you are bringing into the country. In casual conversation it can replace ‘Do you have anything to say?’ but keep the informal tone of ‘pra’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temalgumacoisapradeclarar?
Tem
Third‑person singular of the verb ter; in questions it works like ‘do you have’ or the impersonal ‘there is/are’.
alguma
Indefinite adjective meaning ‘any’; it must agree in gender and number with the noun that follows (feminine singular).
coisa
A feminine noun meaning ‘thing’; often used in the set phrase ‘alguma coisa’ = ‘anything’.
pra
Colloquial contraction of para; used in everyday speech, especially in Brazil, meaning ‘to/for’.
declarar
Infinitive verb ‘to declare’; follows the preposition para/pra.
🗨In Conversation
Tem alguma coisa pra declarar?
Do you have anything to declare?
Não, nada.
No, nothing.
✕Common Mistakes
Você tem alguma coisa pra declarar?
Learners sometimes think a subject pronoun is required; in spoken Portuguese the subject is omitted.
Tem alguma coisa para declarar?
‘Pra’ is informal; in formal contexts use ‘para’.
Tem algum coisa pra declarar?
‘Coisa’ is feminine, so the indefinite adjective must be ‘alguma’.
↔Alternatives
Você tem algo a declarar?
Do you have something to declare?
Há algo que você queira declarar?
Is there anything you would like to declare?
Tem algo para declarar?
Do you have anything to declare?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, customs officers almost always start the interview with this question. Answer truthfully; failing to declare prohibited items can lead to fines or confiscation. The informal ‘pra’ is perfectly natural in spoken Portuguese, but in very formal settings (e.g., written forms or official documents) you should use ‘para’. Also, remember that ‘alguma coisa’ is always feminine – never say *algum coisa*.