possuo

Possuo is the first person singular present indicative form of the Portuguese verb possuir, meaning to possess or to own. It is used to indicate possession of an object, property, or abstract rights, often conveying a sense of formal ownership or control.

Etymology and related forms: possuir comes from Latin possidere, meaning to possess or hold. The root poss- is shared with related terms such as posse, possession, and possessive, though Portuguese has evolved distinct forms and nuances in everyday speech.

Conjugation and usage: In the present tense, the full paradigm is: eu possuo, tu possuis, ele possui, nós possuímos, vós possuís, eles possuem. The verb can appear in various compound tenses with auxiliary verbs, and its past forms (e.g., possuí, possuís, possuíram) describe past possession. Possuir contrasts with ter (to have) in nuance: ter often describes existence or simple possession, while possuír emphasizes ownership, control, or legal rights over an object.

Usage notes: In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, possuír is common in formal or written contexts, while ter is more widely used in casual speech. Possuir also appears in legal, financial, and real estate language to denote formal ownership, title, or entitlement.

Examples:

- Eu possuo uma bicicleta novas. (I own a new bicycle.)

- Ela possui uma casa na cidade. (She owns a house in the city.)

- Eles possuem os direitos sobre a patente. (They hold the rights to the patent.)

See also: posse, possessor, posse de arma, possessivo.