Portuguese Phrase
Tenho 30 anos.
Meaning
This sentence means ‘I am 30 years old.’ In Portuguese, age is expressed with the verb ‘ter’ (to have) rather than ‘ser’ (to be). The construction is straightforward and works in both formal and informal contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when introducing yourself, filling out forms, or answering a question about your age. It is appropriate in casual conversation, job interviews, or any situation where age is relevant.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenho30anos
Verbo ter (presente)
‘Tenho’ é a primeira pessoa do singular do verbo ‘ter’ no presente do indicativo, usado para expressar posse ou idade.
Número cardinal
‘30’ é um numeral cardinal que concorda em gênero e número com o substantivo que acompanha.
Substantivo ‘anos’
‘Anos’ é o plural de ‘ano’ e indica unidades de tempo; usado após números para falar de idade.
🗨In Conversation
Quantos anos você tem?
How old are you?
Tenho 30 anos.
I am 30 years old.
✕Common Mistakes
Sou 30 anos.
Use ‘sou’ (to be) only for professions, nationalities, or permanent traits, not for age.
Tenho 30 ano.
‘Ano’ must be pluralized after numbers greater than one.
Tenho trinta.
You need to add ‘anos’ after the number when stating age.
↔Alternatives
Tenho trinta anos.
I am thirty years old.
Tenho 30 anos de idade.
I am 30 years old.
Tenho 30 anos completos.
I am 30 years old (exactly).
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, it is common to answer age questions with ‘Tenho X anos.’ Unlike English, Portuguese never uses the verb ‘ser’ for age. When speaking to older people, you might add a polite phrase like ‘Com licença, tenho 30 anos’ to soften the statement.