Portuguese Phrase
Tenho que fazer as compras.
Meaning
Literally, "I have to do the shopping." It conveys a personal obligation to go out and buy groceries or other needed items. The phrase can also be used more generally for any required purchase.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to explain that you must go shopping, whether you’re planning your day, apologizing for being busy, or answering a question about your schedule.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoquefazerascompras
Ter + que (obligation)
The construction "ter que" (or "tem que" for 3rd person) expresses a personal obligation, similar to "have to" in English.
Fazer + noun (to do something)
"Fazer" is used with activities that are performed, such as "fazer as compras" (to do the shopping).
Definite article with compras
"As" is the feminine plural definite article that specifies a particular set of purchases, usually groceries.
🗨In Conversation
Você vai ao mercado hoje?
Are you going to the market today?
Sim, tenho que fazer as compras.
Yes, I have to do the shopping.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem que fazer as compras.
"Tem que" is third‑person singular; for first person you must use "Tenho que".
Tenho que fazer compras.
Leaving out the article changes the nuance; "fazer compras" is more generic, while "fazer as compras" refers to a specific set of items.
Tenho que fazer o compras.
The article must agree in gender and number with "compras" (feminine plural).
↔Alternatives
Preciso fazer as compras.
I need to do the shopping.
Tenho de fazer as compras.
I must do the shopping.
Vou fazer as compras.
I'm going to do the shopping.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, "fazer as compras" usually means buying groceries at a supermarket or local market, but it can also refer to any kind of shopping trip, like buying clothes or household items. Brazilians often say "ir ao mercado" or "ir ao supermercado" as a more casual way to express the same idea. The phrase is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written Portuguese.