Portuguese Phrase
Tem karaokê?
Meaning
Literally, 'Is there karaoke?' It is used to find out whether a place (bar, restaurant, party venue) offers karaoke equipment or a karaoke night.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a bar, ask a friend about a party, or check a venue’s schedule to see if karaoke is on the program. It works in informal and semi‑formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temkaraokê?
Ter (tem)
The verb 'ter' in third‑person singular (tem) is used to ask about the existence or availability of something, similar to 'há' in Portuguese.
Karaokê (noun)
A borrowed noun from English, written with a circumflex on the final e to indicate the stressed syllable: ka‑ra‑o‑KÊ.
Question intonation
Raising the pitch at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question.
🗨In Conversation
Tem karaokê?
Is there karaoke?
Sim, tem. Começa às oito da noite no salão de festas.
Yes, there is. It starts at eight p.m. in the party room.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem karaoke?
The correct spelling in Portuguese uses a circumflex: karaokê.
Há karaokê?
While 'há' also means 'there is', using 'tem' sounds more natural in everyday conversation about services.
Tem karaokê??
Only one question mark is needed; double punctuation is non‑standard.
↔Alternatives
Tem karaoke aqui?
Is there karaoke here?
Tem sessão de karaokê?
Is there a karaoke session?
Tem karaoke disponível?
Is karaoke available?
Tem karaokê hoje à noite?
Is there karaoke tonight?
Cultural Tip
Karaoke is a popular pastime in Brazil, especially in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where bars often host ‘noite de karaokê’ on weekends. The atmosphere is casual, and it’s common to see friends cheering each other on. When you ask ‘Tem karaokê?’, a friendly smile and a willingness to join the fun are appreciated.