Portuguese Phrase
Os donos têm que garantir que as casas sejam seguras.
Meaning
The sentence states that owners are required to make sure the houses are safe. It conveys a legal or moral responsibility, emphasizing the need for preventive measures such as fire alarms, sturdy doors, or proper maintenance.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing landlord duties, safety regulations for rental properties, or any situation where someone must ensure a place meets safety standards.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Osdonostêmquegarantirqueascasassejamseguras
Obligation with "ter que"
"Ter" + "que" + infinitive expresses a duty or necessity (similar to "have to").
Subjunctive after "que"
When a clause introduced by "que" expresses a requirement, the verb that follows is in the subjunctive mood (here, "sejam").
Agreement of adjectives
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify; "seguras" matches the feminine plural "casas".
Pronoun "os" (definite article)
"Os" is the masculine plural definite article, used here because "donos" is masculine plural.
🗨In Conversation
Os donos têm que garantir que as casas sejam seguras.
The owners have to ensure that the houses are safe.
Concordo, especialmente com as novas normas de incêndio.
I agree, especially with the new fire safety regulations.
✕Common Mistakes
Os donos têm que garantir que as casas são seguras.
After a clause of obligation, the verb must be in the subjunctive, not the indicative.
Os donos tem de garantir que as casas sejam seguras.
"Tem de" is also correct, but many learners confuse it with "tem que"; both are acceptable, yet "tem que" is more common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Os donos têm que garantir que as casas sejam seguro.
The adjective must agree with "casas" (feminine plural).
↔Alternatives
Os proprietários precisam assegurar que as casas estejam seguras.
The proprietors need to make sure the houses are safe.
É obrigação dos donos tornar as casas seguras.
It is the owners' obligation to make the houses safe.
Os donos devem garantir a segurança das casas.
The owners should guarantee the safety of the houses.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the Código Civil and consumer protection laws hold landlords responsible for providing safe living conditions. Failure to keep a property safe can lead to legal action, fines, or even termination of the lease. When speaking about these duties, a formal register is preferred, especially in written contracts or official conversations.