Portuguese Phrase
Tem flocos de isopor?
Meaning
A short, direct way to ask a shopkeeper or supplier whether they have styrofoam flakes available. It can be used for crafts, insulation projects, or party decorations.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are in a hardware store, craft shop, or a market stall and need to know if they stock the lightweight, white foam pieces called ‘flocos de isopor’. It works both in formal and informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temflocosdeisopor?
Ter (presente)
‘Tem’ is the third‑person singular present form of the verb ‘ter’ (to have). It is used for existence or possession.
Plural noun
‘Flocos’ is the plural of ‘floco’ (flake). In Portuguese, adjectives and articles agree in number with the noun.
Preposition de
‘de’ links the noun ‘flocos’ with what they are made of – ‘isopor’ (styrofoam).
Question mark
In spoken Portuguese the intonation rises at the end; the written ‘?’ signals a yes/no question.
🗨In Conversation
Tem flocos de isopor?
Do you have styrofoam flakes?
Sim, temos. São R$ 12,00 o pacote.
Yes, we do. They are R$12 per pack.
✕Common Mistakes
Há flocos de isopor?
‘Há’ is also used for existence, but in everyday shop talk Brazilians prefer ‘tem’. Using ‘há’ can sound overly formal.
Tem floco de isopor?
The noun should be plural when you expect more than one piece.
Tem flocos de isópor?
The correct spelling is ‘isopor’ (no accent).
↔Alternatives
Vocês têm flocos de isopor?
Do you (plural) have styrofoam flakes?
Existe floco de isopor?
Is there any styrofoam flake?
Tem algum floco de isopor?
Do you have any styrofoam flakes?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘isopor’ (expanded polystyrene) is widely used for school projects, party decorations, and even temporary insulation. When asking for it, Brazilians often use the informal ‘tem’ rather than the more formal ‘há’. If you’re in a larger chain store, you might hear the plural form ‘flocos de isopor’ more often than the singular, because they sell them in small bags.