A2 Portuguese GrammarPresent Perfect Tense
Learn the Portuguese present perfect tense (pretérito perfeito composto) to express actions that started in the past and continue to the present. This tense uses ter + past participle and is essential for describing ongoing situations, repeated actions, and recent experiences in Portuguese.
1Formation with Ter + Past Participle
The Portuguese present perfect (pretérito perfeito composto) is formed with the present tense of ter followed by the past participle. Unlike English, this tense emphasizes repeated or continuous actions up to the present, not single completed events. The past participle is invariable (doesn't change for gender or number).
Present Tense of Ter
| Person | ter (to have) | Example with falar |
|---|---|---|
| eu | tenho | tenho falado |
| tu | tens | tens falado |
| você/ele/ela | tem | tem falado |
| nós | temos | temos falado |
| vocês/eles/elas | têm | têm falado |
Examples
Tenho estudado muito ultimamente.
I have been studying a lot lately.
Emphasizes ongoing/repeated action
Ela tem trabalhado neste projeto.
She has been working on this project.
tem trabalhado = has been working
Nós temos viajado bastante este ano.
We have been traveling a lot this year.
temos viajado = have been traveling
Eles têm falado sobre isso.
They have been talking about that.
têm falado = have been talking
2Regular Past Participles
Regular past participles are formed by replacing the infinitive ending: -ar becomes -ado, and -er/-ir become -ido. These participles are used with ter to form compound tenses. Remember that the participle doesn't change for gender or number when used with ter.
Regular Participle Formation
| Infinitive | Ending | Participle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| falar | -ar → -ado | falado | spoken |
| comer | -er → -ido | comido | eaten |
| partir | -ir → -ido | partido | left/departed |
| trabalhar | -ar → -ado | trabalhado | worked |
| viver | -er → -ido | vivido | lived |
Examples
Tenho comido bem esta semana.
I have been eating well this week.
comido = eaten (from comer)
Ela tem vivido aqui há dois anos.
She has been living here for two years.
vivido = lived (from viver)
Temos aprendido muitas coisas novas.
We have been learning many new things.
aprendido = learned (from aprender)
Os alunos têm estudado para o exame.
The students have been studying for the exam.
estudado = studied (from estudar)
3Common Irregular Past Participles
Some frequently used verbs have irregular past participles that must be memorized. These include: fazer → feito, ver → visto, escrever → escrito, abrir → aberto, dizer → dito, pôr → posto, vir → vindo. These irregular forms are essential for natural Portuguese.
Irregular Past Participles
| Infinitive | Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fazer (do/make) | feito | tenho feito |
| ver (see) | visto | tens visto |
| escrever (write) | escrito | tem escrito |
| abrir (open) | aberto | temos aberto |
| dizer (say) | dito | têm dito |
| pôr (put) | posto | tenho posto |
Examples
O que tens feito ultimamente?
What have you been doing lately?
feito = done (irregular from fazer)
Não tenho visto a Maria.
I haven't been seeing Maria.
visto = seen (irregular from ver)
Ela tem escrito muitos emails.
She has been writing many emails.
escrito = written (irregular from escrever)
Temos aberto a loja às nove horas.
We have been opening the store at nine.
aberto = opened (irregular from abrir)
4Portuguese vs English Present Perfect
The Portuguese present perfect differs significantly from English. In Portuguese, it expresses repeated or continuous actions leading up to now, NOT single completed events. For single completed events, use the simple past (pretérito perfeito simples). Time expressions like ultimamente (lately), recentemente (recently), and desde (since) often accompany this tense.
Comparing Usage
| Meaning | Portuguese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated action | Tenho ido ao ginásio. | I have been going to the gym. |
| Continuous state | Tem chovido muito. | It has been raining a lot. |
| Single event (use simple past) | Fui ao cinema ontem. | I went to the cinema yesterday. |
| Experience (use simple past) | Já visitei Paris. | I have visited Paris. |
Examples
Tem chovido todos os dias.
It has been raining every day.
Repeated action - use present perfect
Tenho pensado em mudar de emprego.
I have been thinking about changing jobs.
Ongoing thought - use present perfect
Ela tem-se sentido melhor.
She has been feeling better.
Continuous improvement - reflexive with present perfect
Ultimamente não tenho dormido bem.
Lately I haven't been sleeping well.
ultimamente signals ongoing situation