Portuguese Phrase
Sim, tenho um pouco de tempo livre.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite way to confirm that you have some availability. It combines the affirmative 'sim' with the verb 'ter' (to have) and the quantifier 'um pouco de' (a little bit of) to indicate a small amount of leisure or available time.
When to use
Use this when someone asks if you are busy or if you can help them with a task. It is appropriate for both casual social situations and professional environments.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Simtenhoum pouco detempo livre
Tenho (Verb Ter)
This is the first-person singular present indicative of 'ter'. It is used to express possession of both physical objects and abstract concepts like time.
Um pouco de
This is a quantitative phrase meaning 'a little bit of'. The 'de' is mandatory when followed by a noun.
🗨In Conversation
Você pode me ajudar com as malas?
Can you help me with the suitcases?
Sim, tenho um pouco de tempo livre.
Yes, I have a little free time.
✕Common Mistakes
Sim, eu sou um pouco de tempo livre.
In Portuguese, you use the verb 'ter' (to have) to express having time, not 'ser' (to be).
Sim, tenho um pouco tempo livre.
The expression 'um pouco' always requires the preposition 'de' before the noun it modifies.
↔Alternatives
Tenho um tempinho.
I have a little bit of time.
Estou livre agora.
I am free now.
Sim, estou disponível.
Yes, I am available.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, adding 'inho' to words like 'tempo' (tempinho) makes the sentence sound more friendly and informal. While 'tempo livre' is standard, using diminutives is a common way to soften requests or responses in social interactions.