Portuguese Phrase
Tem um mapa do metrô?
Meaning
A polite, informal way to ask whether the person you’re speaking to has a subway map. It’s useful when you’re trying to navigate a city’s metro system and need a visual guide.
When to use
Use this phrase at a metro station, in a café near the lines, or when you’re chatting with a local who might have a printed map. It works both with strangers and with friends; the informal *tem* makes it sound friendly and conversational.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temummapadometrô?
Tem (ter)
Third‑person singular present indicative of *ter*; used here as an informal way to ask if someone possesses something.
um (indefinite article)
Indefinite masculine article meaning “a” or “one”.
do (de + o)
Contraction of the preposition *de* + masculine definite article *o*, meaning “of the”.
metrô (noun)
Masculine noun for “subway/metro”. Note the acute accent on the final “ó”.
🗨In Conversation
Tem um mapa do metrô?
Do you have a subway map?
Sim, aqui está. Ele mostra todas as linhas da cidade.
Yes, here it is. It shows all the lines in the city.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem um mapa do metro?
Missing the acute accent; the correct word is *metrô*.
Há um mapa do metrô?
Using *há* (there is) sounds more like stating existence, not a direct request.
Tem um mapa do metrô
Leaving out the question mark can make the sentence sound like a statement rather than a question.
↔Alternatives
Você tem um mapa do metrô?
Do you have a subway map?
Pode me dar um mapa do metrô?
Can you give me a subway map?
Tem como eu conseguir um mapa do metrô?
Is there a way I can get a subway map?
Tem mapa do metrô?
Got a subway map?
Cultural Tip
In most Brazilian cities the metro provides free paper maps at the ticket booths, and many stations have large wall‑mounted diagrams. When you ask “Tem um mapa do metrô?” you’ll usually get a friendly smile and a map handed to you. If you want to sound a bit more formal (e.g., to a staff member), use “Você tem um mapa do metrô?”. Also, remember the accent on *metrô* – omitting it changes the pronunciation and can look careless to native speakers.