Portuguese Phrase
A gente tem isso em comum.
Meaning
Literally, “We have that in common.” It is used to point out a shared characteristic, interest, or experience between speakers.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal conversation when you discover a similarity with someone else – a hobby, a feeling, a past event, etc. It works well in casual settings among friends, classmates, or coworkers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Agentetemissoemcomum
A gente
Colloquial 1st‑person plural pronoun that behaves like a third‑person singular noun, so the verb agrees in the singular.
tem
Present‑tense of the verb *ter* (to have) conjugated for third‑person singular, matching *a gente*.
isso
Demonstrative pronoun meaning “that” or “this”, referring to something previously mentioned.
em comum
Fixed prepositional phrase meaning “in common”; it follows the noun or pronoun it modifies.
🗨In Conversation
A gente tem isso em comum.
We have that in common.
É verdade, ambos adoramos filmes de ficção científica.
That's true, we both love sci‑fi movies.
✕Common Mistakes
A gente temos isso em comum.
When using *a gente*, the verb must stay in third‑person singular; *a gente temos* is incorrect.
A gente tem nos em comum.
Do not replace *isso* with *nos*; *nos* is a pronoun for “us”, not “that”.
A gente tem isso em comummente.
The adverbial form does not exist; the correct phrase is the fixed expression *em comum*.
↔Alternatives
Nós temos isso em comum.
We have that in common.
Temos isso em comum.
We have that in common.
Compartilhamos isso.
We share that.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, *a gente* is the go‑to informal way to say “we”. It is perfectly natural in spoken Portuguese but should be avoided in formal writing, where *nós* is preferred. The expression *em comum* is a set phrase; you cannot say *em comummente* or *comummente*.