Portuguese Phrase
Tem alguma coisa sem glúten?
Meaning
A polite question asking whether there is any item that does not contain gluten. It is commonly used in restaurants, cafés, or grocery stores when the speaker follows a gluten‑free diet or is checking for allergens.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to verify the availability of gluten‑free options on a menu, at a buffet, or while shopping for food products. It works both in casual conversation and in more formal settings such as a health‑clinic inquiry.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temalgumacoisasemglúten?
Tem (ter)
Third‑person singular of "ter" used impersonally to mean "there is/are"; informal alternative to "há".
alguma
Indefinite adjective agreeing in gender and number with the noun that follows (feminine singular).
coisa
A generic feminine noun meaning "thing"; often used when the speaker doesn’t know the exact item.
sem
Preposition meaning "without"; it does not change according to gender or number.
glúten
Borrowed noun from English; in Portuguese it is masculine and does not change in plural.
🗨In Conversation
Tem alguma coisa sem glúten?
Is there anything without gluten?
Sim, temos pão sem glúten e bolos de arroz.
Yes, we have gluten‑free bread and rice cakes.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem algum coisa sem glúten?
The adjective must agree with the feminine noun "coisa"; use "alguma".
Tem alguma coisa sem gluten?
In Portuguese the correct spelling is "glúten" with an accent.
Tem alguma coisa sem glúten?
In very formal contexts "Há" or "Existe" is preferred, but "Tem" is acceptable in everyday speech.
↔Alternatives
Existe algo sem glúten?
Is there something without gluten?
Há opções sem glúten?
Are there gluten‑free options?
Você tem algo sem glúten?
Do you have anything without gluten?
Cultural Tip
Brazilian restaurants increasingly label dishes as "sem glúten" on menus, especially in larger cities. While "Tem" is perfectly understood, using the more formal "Existe" or "Há" can sound more polite in upscale establishments. Remember to mention any cross‑contamination concerns, as many kitchens share equipment.