Portuguese Phrase
Não, não tenho.
Meaning
The speaker is refusing or denying having something. It translates to “No, I don’t have (it).” The double negative emphasizes the denial and is the natural way to answer a yes‑no question in Portuguese.
When to use
Use this short reply when someone asks if you possess an object, a skill, or a condition and you want to say you don’t. It works in both formal and informal settings, but the tone can be softened with a smile or a polite “desculpe”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Não,nãotenho.
Double negative
Portuguese uses a negative particle before the verb (não) and can repeat it before the subject for emphasis; both negatives are required.
Verb conjugation
“Tenho” is the first‑person singular present of the verb ter (to have).
Ellipsis of the object
The object being referred to is understood from context, so it is omitted.
🗨In Conversation
Você tem o livro que eu deixei aqui?
Do you have the book I left here?
Não, não tenho.
No, I don’t have it.
✕Common Mistakes
Não, não tem.
“Tem” is third‑person singular; you need the first‑person form “tenho” when talking about yourself.
Não, não tenho eu.
Word order is unnatural; the pronoun comes before the verb only in emphatic structures, not in simple replies.
↔Alternatives
Não, eu não tenho.
No, I don’t have it.
Desculpa, não tenho.
Sorry, I don’t have it.
Infelizmente não tenho.
Unfortunately I don’t have it.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese the double negative (não…não) is perfectly grammatical and common; it adds emphasis without sounding rude. In Portugal people sometimes drop the second “não” and say simply “Não tenho”. Adjust the level of formality with a brief apology or “desculpe” if you think the request might be inconvenient.