Portuguese Phrase
Temos detergente suficiente para a louça?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether there is an adequate amount of dish‑washing detergent available for cleaning the dishes. It implies a need to check the supply before starting to wash.
When to use
Use this question when you’re about to do the dishes and want to confirm you have enough detergent, or when you’re planning a cooking session and need to ensure the kitchen is stocked.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temosdetergentesuficienteparaalouça?
Ter (present 1st pl.)
‘Temos’ is the first‑person plural present of the verb ‘ter’ (to have), used to state possession.
Adjective placement
In Portuguese, adjectives like ‘suficiente’ can follow the noun (detergente suficiente) for a neutral tone.
Preposition ‘para’
‘Para’ introduces purpose or destination – here it links the detergent to its use (for the dishes).
Definite article ‘a’
‘A louça’ uses the feminine singular article because ‘louça’ (dishes) is a feminine noun.
Question intonation
The sentence ends with a question mark; spoken Portuguese raises the pitch at the end.
🗨In Conversation
Temos detergente suficiente para a louça?
Do we have enough detergent for the dishes?
Sim, ainda temos duas garrafas cheias.
Yes, we still have two full bottles.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem detergente suficiente para a louça?
‘Tem’ is singular (he/she has). The subject is ‘we’, so you need ‘temos’.
Temos suficiente detergente para a louça?
While grammatically possible, native speakers usually place ‘suficiente’ after the noun in neutral statements.
Temos detergente suficiente para a louça.
Missing the question mark changes the sentence to a statement.
↔Alternatives
Temos detergente suficiente para lavar a louça?
Do we have enough detergent to wash the dishes?
Há detergente suficiente para a louça?
Is there enough detergent for the dishes?
Temos detergente suficiente para a limpeza da louça?
Do we have enough detergent for cleaning the dishes?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘louça’ refers to all kitchenware that needs washing, not just plates. It’s common to ask about detergent before a family meal, because many households keep a small bottle in the sink for quick washes and a larger one in the pantry for bigger loads. Using ‘suficiente’ after the noun sounds neutral; placing it before (e.g., ‘suficiente detergente’) can sound a bit more formal or emphatic.