Portuguese Phrase
Tens artigos de higiene?
Meaning
A casual way to ask someone if they have any hygiene products – soap, toothbrush, shampoo, etc. The question is informal because it uses *tens*, the familiar form of *ter* used in Portugal.
When to use
Use it in a shop, at a friend's house, or when you need to borrow a hygiene item from a familiar person. Switch to *Tem artigos de higiene?* or *Você tem artigos de higiene?* when speaking to strangers or in Brazil.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tensartigosdehigiene?
Tens (2nd pers. sing.)
The verb *ter* (to have) conjugated in the informal second‑person singular used in Portugal.
artigos
Plural noun meaning “items” or “articles”.
de
Preposition that links the noun *artigos* with the category *higiene*.
higiene
Noun meaning “hygiene”; often used in the set phrase *artigos de higiene* (hygiene products).
🗨In Conversation
Tens artigos de higiene?
Do you have any hygiene items?
Sim, tenho sabonete e escova de dentes.
Yes, I have soap and a toothbrush.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem artigos de higiene?
Mixes formal *tem* with the informal *tens* structure; choose one form consistently.
Tens artigos de higiene
Missing the question mark or intonation makes it sound like a statement.
Tens artigos de higiene, sim?
Adding *sim* at the end turns the question into a confirmation request, which changes the meaning.
↔Alternatives
Tem artigos de higiene?
Do you have hygiene articles? (formal, Portugal)
Você tem artigos de higiene?
Do you have hygiene articles? (Brazilian Portuguese)
Há artigos de higiene?
Are there hygiene articles?
Tem algum produto de higiene?
Do you have any hygiene product?
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, *tens* signals familiarity; use it with friends, family, or shop assistants you know. With strangers, older people, or in formal settings, switch to *tem*. In Brazil the informal *tens* is rarely used; Brazilians say *você tem* or simply *tem*. The phrase *artigos de higiene* is the standard way supermarkets label the aisle for soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.