Learn European Portuguese through comprehensible input. Acquire basic vocabulary and one of the main verbs in Portuguese: o verbo haver.
The verb “haver” is an impersonal verb. That means that there is no “doer” of the action (there is/there are and not “I is” /”I” are). The verb is also extremely irregular, showing changes in the root and endings when conjugated. Another thing to notice is that the “h” is a mute consonant and hever pronounced. As far as use in the language, it's mostly used in the 3rd person singular – You may have seen it around as “há”. Note: There are situations when "haver" becomes a personal verb, but relax, that will be for later when you're at an advanced level.
Below is a comprehensible input video lesson for absolute beginners. Conjugation: há.
O que há?
#1. Quantos pratos há?
Quantos = how many
pratos = plates
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
There is one plate. = Há um prato.
#2. Quantas colheres há?
Quantas = how many
colheres = spoons
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
There are three spoons. = Há três colheres.
#3. Há quatro mesas?
Quantas = how many
mesas = tables
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Yes, there are four tables. = Sim, há quatro mesas.
#4. Há cinco copos?
copos = cups or glasses
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Answer: No, there are seven glasses.
Note: Always pay attention to if “não” is said or written alone – separated by punctuation or there if there is a slight pause after saying it.
Having “não” in front of any verb will always make it negative. This means that “Não há sete copos.” means there aren’t seven glasses”.
This also means that we have double negatives in Portuguese. Even multiple negatives in the same sentences.
#5. Quatos garfos há?
quantos = how many
garfos = forks
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Answer: There are six forks.
#6. Há oito facas?
facas = knives
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Answer: No, there aren’t eight knives. / There are three knives.
#7. Há nove fatias de pão?
fatias de pão = bread slices
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Answer: No, there arent’ nine slices of bread. / There are six slices of bread.
#8. Quantas azeitonas há?
quantas = how many
azeitonas = olives
há = are there/is there and there are/there is
Answer: There are ten olives.