Portuguese Phrase
Não, tem que estar seco.
Meaning
The speaker is refusing or correcting someone, stating that whatever is being discussed must be dry. The comma after “Não” marks a brief pause, emphasizing the negative response before giving the reason.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to stress a condition that must be met – for example, before putting clothes in a dryer, before cooking, or when checking that a surface is dry before painting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nãotemqueestarseco
Não
The standard word for “no” or “not” used to negate a statement or answer a question.
tem que
A colloquial way to express obligation, equivalent to “has to / must”. It is the contraction of “tem de” (literally “has of”).
estar
The verb “to be” used for temporary states, conditions, or locations. Here it links the subject to the adjective “seco”.
seco
An adjective meaning “dry”. It must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (masculine singular in this example).
🗨In Conversation
Posso colocar a roupa ainda úmida na secadora?
Can I put the laundry in the dryer while it’s still damp?
Não, tem que estar seco.
No, it has to be dry.
✕Common Mistakes
Não, tem que ser seco.
“Ser” describes permanent qualities. Use “estar” for a temporary condition like dryness.
Não, tem que estar seca.
The adjective must agree with the noun’s gender. If the noun is masculine (e.g., “o chão”), use “seco”.
Não tem que estar seco.
Skipping the comma after “Não” makes the sentence sound rushed and can be harder to understand.
↔Alternatives
Não, precisa estar seco.
No, it needs to be dry.
Não, tem de estar seco.
No, it must be dry.
Não, tem que ficar seco.
No, it has to stay dry.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, “tem que” is the most common spoken form for expressing obligation. In more formal writing you’ll often see “tem de”. Also, remember the comma after “Não” – native speakers pause there, and it helps keep the sentence clear.