Portuguese Phrase
Tenho o direito de consertar isso?
Meaning
A speaker is asking whether they are legally or morally allowed to repair a particular item. The question can be about a personal object, a piece of equipment at work, or even a public facility.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need clarification about permission before you start fixing something—especially in formal or semi‑formal settings such as workplaces, rental agreements, or when dealing with shared property.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoodireitodeconsertarisso
Tenho (verbo ter)
‘Tenho’ is the first‑person singular present of ‘ter’, used to express possession or a right.
o direito (substantivo)
‘Direito’ means ‘right’ (legal or moral) and takes the definite article ‘o’ when referring to a specific right.
de + infinitivo
The preposition ‘de’ links a noun of abstract meaning (direito) to an infinitive verb, indicating what the right concerns.
consertar (infinitivo)
‘Consertar’ means ‘to fix/repair’; in this construction it stays in the infinitive after ‘de’.
isso (pronome demonstrativo)
‘Isso’ points to a specific object that both speakers can identify.
🗨In Conversation
Tenho o direito de consertar isso?
Do I have the right to fix this?
Sim, mas avise antes de mexer, por favor.
Yes, but please let me know before you touch it.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem o direito de consertar isso?
‘Tem’ is third‑person singular; the speaker must use ‘tenho’ for ‘I have’.
Tenho o direito de eu consertar isso?
After ‘de’, the infinitive is used without a subject pronoun; ‘eu’ is redundant and ungrammatical here.
Tenho o direito de conserto isso?
‘Conserto’ is a noun meaning ‘repair’; the sentence needs the infinitive ‘consertar’.
↔Alternatives
Posso consertar isso?
Can I fix this?
Tenho permissão para consertar isso?
Do I have permission to fix this?
É permitido eu consertar isso?
Am I allowed to fix this?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the word ‘direito’ often appears in legal or formal contexts. When you’re speaking with friends, a simpler ‘Posso consertar isso?’ is more natural. If you’re dealing with a landlord, a manager, or a public authority, using ‘direito’ signals that you’re aware of your legal standing and shows respect for the rules.