Portuguese Phrase
Tem algo sem glúten?
Meaning
A quick way to ask whether there is any food or product that does not contain gluten. It’s especially useful for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance who need to avoid wheat, barley, and rye.
When to use
Use this question in restaurants, cafés, bakeries, or grocery stores when you want to know if a gluten‑free option is available. It works both in casual conversation and in more formal service settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temalgosemglúten?
Tem (há)
In colloquial Portuguese, "tem" (third‑person singular of ter) is often used like the impersonal "há" to ask if something exists.
algo
Indefinite pronoun meaning “something” or “anything”; it does not take an article.
sem + noun
The preposition "sem" means “without” and is followed directly by the noun without an article.
glúten (masc.)
A borrowed noun that is masculine in Portuguese (o glúten).
🗨In Conversation
Tem algo sem glúten?
Is there anything gluten‑free?
Sim, temos pão sem glúten e bolos especiais.
Yes, we have gluten‑free bread and special cakes.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem um algo sem glúten?
"Algo" is already indefinite; do not add the article "um".
Tem algo sem a glúten?
Glúten is masculine, so the correct article is "o" (if you need an article).
Tem algo sem gluten?
The accent on "glúten" is required in Portuguese.
↔Alternatives
Há opções sem glúten?
Are there gluten‑free options?
Existe algo sem glúten?
Is there something gluten‑free?
Você tem algo sem glúten?
Do you have something gluten‑free?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the term "doença celíaca" is used for celiac disease, and many establishments label their products with a clear "sem glúten" sign. While "tem" is perfectly understood, using the more formal "há" (e.g., "Há algo sem glúten?") can sound slightly more polite in upscale settings.