Portuguese Phrase
Tenho o que é preciso.
Meaning
Literally, “I have what is necessary.” In everyday speech it conveys confidence: “I have what it takes” or “I have what’s needed.” The phrase can refer to skills, resources, or personal qualities.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to assert that you possess the required abilities, tools, or qualities for a task, job, or challenge. It works well in informal conversations, job interviews, or motivational moments.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhooqueépreciso
Ter (presente do indicativo)
‘Tenho’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘ter’, meaning ‘to have’.
O que (pronome relativo)
‘O que’ works as a relative pronoun meaning ‘what/that which’, linking the verb to the noun that is implied.
Ser (presente do indicativo)
‘É’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘ser’, used here to equate the thing you have with something necessary.
Preciso (adjetivo)
‘Preciso’ is an adjective meaning ‘necessary, needed, enough’; it agrees in gender and number with the implied noun (e.g., ‘o que’).
🗨In Conversation
Você acha que tem experiência suficiente para liderar a equipe?
Do you think you have enough experience to lead the team?
Tenho o que é preciso.
I have what it takes.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem o que é preciso.
‘Tem’ is third‑person singular; the subject is ‘eu’, so you must use ‘tenho’.
Tenho é preciso.
The verb ‘ser’ must stay attached to the relative clause ‘o que é preciso’. Dropping ‘o que’ makes the sentence ungrammatical.
Tenho o que é preciso fazer.
When you want the impersonal construction ‘É preciso…’, you cannot attach it directly after ‘tenho’. Use the full phrase as shown.
↔Alternatives
Tenho o necessário.
I have what is necessary.
Tenho tudo que preciso.
I have everything I need.
Tenho o que é necessário.
I have what is required.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese the phrase is often used in a confident, slightly informal tone. It can sound boastful if said in a formal setting, so adjust your intonation and context accordingly. Native speakers may also shorten it to “Tenho o que preciso” in casual speech.