Portuguese-Grammar-Summary 5

Grammar topics: Level 2 Street Dialogs
Dialog: Serviço Mal Pago, parte 1
adverbs of intensity
Words that add emphasis such as almost, hardly, a lot, enough.
menos (less)
demais (too much)
tanto (so much)
quase (almost)
bem (well)
mal (hardly)
pouco (little)
Post: Portuguese Adverbs of Intensity

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/portuguese-
adverbs-10284/)
Video
nem
Use nem when you want to say, don’t even.
Nem pensar! (Don't even think about it! )

Eu nem sei. (I don't even know.)
Eu nem reparei. (I didn't even notice.)
object pronouns (simple)

There are two extremely common substitutions made in
conversational Portuguese:
para você > gets replaced by te

para mim > gets replaced by me
These make sentences shorter, more streamlined.

*Note the word order changes. The pronouns me, te go before
the action verb.
Ela falou para você ? > Ela te falou? (Did she tell you?)
Pode falar para mim? > Pode me falar? (Can you tell me?)
Eu vou falar para você. > Eu vou te falar. (I'm going to tell
you.)
You can also replace você in situations like this:
Eu não conheço você. > Eu não te conheço. (I don't know

you.)
Ele vai ajudar você? > Ele vai te ajudar. (He's going to help
you.)
Eu ajudo você. > Eu te ajudo. (I'll help you.)
Post: Using te instead of você: Object Pronouns

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/direct-object-
pronouns-22188/)
Video
simple past tense ~ir verbs

The “simple past” = action that is over and done. Officially
called the Preterit Indicative tense.
to leave, depart partir
I left eu parti
you/he/she left você/ele/ela partiu
we left nós partimos
they/you all leave eles/elas partiram
(eu) Eu consegui o apartamento! I got the apartment!

(você, ele, ela) Você conseguiu o emprego! You got the job!
Video
verb tenses (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/verb-tenses/)
simple past tense: ser, ir

These two essential verbs are very irregular in the “simple past”
tense. BUT – they’re exactly the same! Saying was or went, is
usually written the same.
to be ser
I was eu fui
you/he/she were (was) você/ele/ela foi
to go ir
I went eu fui
you/he/she went você/ele/ela foi
IR » Foi muito bem. It went really well.

SER » Foi muito bom. It was really good.
IR » Fui! I went!
SER » A festa foi perfeita. The party was perfect.
IR » Nós fomos à praia ontem. We went to the beach
yesterday.
SER » Foi um dia daqueles. It was one of those days.
IR » Eles foram fazer compras juntos. They went shopping
together.
IR » Para onde ele foi? Where did she go?
* More accurately called, the preterit indicative tense.
Post: FUI in Portuguese – the past tense of IR

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/fui-in-portuguese-
29717/)
Video

acabar: to end up
to end up acabar
I end up eu acabo
you/he/she end(s) up você/ele/ela acaba
Complete conjugation. (https://www.conjuga-

me.net/verbo-acabar)
Translations of ACABAR in Portuguese
Acabar in Portuguese means TO… end, end up, finish, be over,
stop, break up.
Acaba sendo muito difícil. (It ends up being very difficult.)

Minha paciencia acabou. (I'm out of patience.)
A festa acabou. (The party's over).
When a “de” is added : ACABAR de (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/portuguese-grammar/acabar-de/), it takes
on the meaning to have just; to to end up.
O filme acabou de começar. (The film just started.)
Post: Acabar in Portuguese vs. Acabar de

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/acabar-in-
portuguese-50925/)
acabar (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/acabar/), acabar de
(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/grammar-
tags/acabar-de/), verbs (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/verbs/)
adivinhar: to guess
to guess adivinhar
I guess eu adivinho
you/he/she guess(es) você/ele/ela adivinha
we guess nós adivinhamos
you all/they guess vocês/eles/elas adivinham
In olde English “to divine” meant foresee, foreknow, anticipate,

to know beforehand.
me.net/verbo-adivinhar)
Adivinha quanto custou. (Guess how much it cost.)

Nem consigo adivinhar. (I can't even guess.)
verbs (https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/grammar-
tags/verbs/)
trazer: to bring
to bring trazer
I bring eu trago
you/he/she bring(s) você/ele/ela traz
me.net/verbo-trazer)
tags/verbs/)
Dialog: Serviço Mal Pago, parte 2
future subjunctive
Use the future subjunctive tense to talk about things that are
likely to happen, but that have not yet occurred.
Me liga quando você chegar. (Call me when you arrive.)

Se eu ver ela te aviso. (If I see her I'll let you know.)
Assim que comprar um carro vou lá. (As soon as I buy a car
I'll go there.)
Words that almost always trigger this tense:

quando + verb (when you…)
se + verb (if you…)
assim que (as soon as…)
Post: the Future Subjunctive (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/the-future-subjunctive-7999/)
Video
imperative mood
» For AR regular verbs you just replace the a with an e.
» For ER & IR regular verbs you just replace the e with an a.
Forming
-ar regular verbs
Tell me everything! Me conte tudo!

Stop! Pare!
Think again! Pense bem!
-er and -ir regular verbs
Get out of here! Suma daqui!

Open this door! Abra essa porta!
Learn this! Aprenda isso!
Answer me! Me responda!
Some very common examples use the TU form (read the post
for more explanation):
esperar » Me espera! (Wait for me!)

olhar » Olha só! (Just look!)
escutar » Escuta! (Listen!)
tirar » Tira sua mão! (Hands off!)
falar » Fala tu! (Talk to me!)
ligar » Me liga! (Call me!)
ter » Vem cá! (Come here!)
Post: The Portuguese Imperative (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/portuguese-imperative-2678/)
Video

present tense ~ir verbs

There aren’t many ~ir verbs. The most common include:
ir
vir
sair
cair
abrir
pedir
seguir
dormir
partir
servir
decidir
proibir
assistir
despedir
permitir
conseguir
to leave, depart partir
I leave eu parto
you/he/she leave(s) você/ele/ela parte
we leave nós partimos
they/you all leave eles/elas partem
* More accurately called, the present indicative tense.
Video

buscar: to pick-up, search for
to pick-up, search for buscar

I pick-up eu busco
you/he/she pick(s)-up(s) você/ele/ela busca

me.net/verbo-buscar)
tags/verbs/)
querer: to want
to want querer (irregular)
I want eu quero
you/he/she want(s) você/ele/ela quer

me.net/verbo-querer)
eu quero Eu quero ir. (I want to go.)

ele/ela quer Ele quer um táxi. (He wants a taxi.)
você quer Você quer viajar? (Do you want to travel?
tags/verbs/)
Dialog: Como vai?
conversational estar
In casual conversation, estar is abbreviated like this:
estou > tô
está > tá
estamos > tamos
estão > tão
This is becomming the accepted standard, preferred form of

speaking the verb estar. In written Portuguese the non-
abbreviated form is always used.
Eu estou aqui. > Eu tô aqui. (I'm here.)

Como você está? > Como você tá? (How are you?)
tags/verbs/)
preposition por
por = by, for, per, in, of, to, with, via, out of, for the
sake of AND SO ON.
por » by
Is it by last name? » Está por sobrenome?
Is there a pharmacy nearby? » Tem uma farmácia por

perto?
por acaso = by chance

por aqui = around here (literally, by here)
Is there a bank around here? » Tem um banco por aqui?
por perto = close by (literally, by close)
By chance do you have a lighter? » Por acaso você tem

um isqueiro?
por » for
Trade for a bicycle? » Troca por uma bicicleta?
por volta de = about, around (literally, for return of)
I’m leaving around 3 o’clock. » Eu vou sair por volta das

tres horas.
por motivo de = for reason of (literally, for motive of)
I’m retiring for health reasons. » Vou me aposentar por

motivo de saude.
por causa de = because of (literally, for cause of)
It’s due to an error. » Por causa de um erro.
por enquanto = for a while (literally, for while)
Meanwhile, we’re going to wait. » Por enquanto nós

vamos esperar.
por » by, on, of

por aqui » close-by
Is there an ATM around here? » Tem um caixa eletrônica

por aqui?
por perto » close-by
Is there a pharmacy nearby? » Tem uma farmácia por

perto?
por aí » by you
Look how many there are by you. » Olha só quantos tem

por aí.
por lá » over there
I learned Spanish over there. » Eu aprendi espanhol por

lá.
por volta » about, around
I left about 3 in the morning. » Saí por volta das 3 da

manhã.
by: Está por sobrenome? (Is it by last name?)

around: Tem um banco por aqui? (Is there a bank around
here?)
around: Tem uma farmácia por perto? (Is there a pharmacy
nearby?)
for: Troca por uma bicicleta? (Trade for a bicycle?)
reason: Por causa de um erro. (Due to an error.)
por can contract
When used together with “the” (o, a) (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/portuguese-articles-21004/) it gets
CONTRACTED
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)) like
this:
por + o = pelo
por + a = pela
Vamos pelo centro da cidade. » Let’s go by way of

downtown.
Ela jogou tudo pela janela. » She threw everything out

the window.
por + o: Pelo visto eu não tenho opção. By the looks of it I

don't have a choice.
por + a Obrigada pela dica amiga. Thanks for the tip friend!
Post: The Use of POR in Portuguese

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/the-use-of-por-in-
portuguese-43029/)
present perfect
The Present Perfect is used to talk about action that’s on-
going: what has been happening.
For example, to say things like “I’ve been working every

weekend” the Present Perfect is the way to go.
Just use TER + the past participle (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/portuguese-grammar/past-participles/) of
any verb. TER is always in the present tense.
eu > Eu tenho trabalhado todo dia. (I've been working every

day.)
você > Você tem treinado? (Have you been training?)
ele/ela > Ela tem saído muito! (She's been going out a lot!)
Posts: The Present Perfect Tense (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/present-perfect-tense-2320/) | I’ve been
working (https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/ive-been-
working-5376/) | Perfectly Speaking (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/speak-perfectly-12860/)
Video

reflexive verbs
A verb becomes reflexive when it’s used to talk about doing
something to oneself, such as seating oneself at the table or
waking one’s self up. In these cases, the subject and object of
the sentence are the same. » Reflexive verbs express what a
person does to him/herself.
Almost any verb can be used reflexively. Whenever the subject

is receiving and doing the action at the same time, it’s reflexive.
To make a verb reflexive just add a me or se to say myself (me),
or yourself, himself, herself (se). These are called Reflexive
Pronouns (https://streetsmartbrazil.com/reflexive-verbs-
made-simple-in-portuguese/):
Reflexive
Pronoun
Eu me Eu me levantei. (I got myself up)
Você se Você se levantou. (You got yourself up)
Ele se Ele se levantou. (He got himself up)
Ela se Ela se levantou. (She got herself up)
A gente se A gente se levantou. (We got ourselves up)
Eu não me lembro. I don't (myself) remember

Eu me chamo Juliana. I call myself Juliana.
Não vou me preocupar. I'm not going to worry (myself).
Você se machucou? Did you hurt yourself?
Eu me sentei. I sat (myself) down.
Nós nos divertimos. We enjoyed ourselves.
Post: When to use the Portuguese Reflexive

reflexive-verbs-34693/)
Video
andar: to walk, step
to walk, step, go andar
I walk eu ando
you/he/she walks(s) você/ele/ela anda
Complete conjugation. (https://conjuga-me.net/verbo-

andar)
Ela anda rápida! She goes fast!

Vamos andar de bicicleta. Let's go by bike.
Não anda na rua. Don't walk in the street.
ANDAR is also used to express BEEN, as in been doing this or
that. It’s considered a shorthand/conversational method and is
used as a substitution for the grammatically correct conjugation
into the Present Perfect form of the verb ANDAR. It sounds
more streamlined, and a bit less formal.
Como você anda hoje? How are you doing today?

Você anda trabalando seu projeto? Have you been working
on your project?
Post: Como você anda? (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/andar-in-portuguese-4042/)
tags/verbs/)
aparecer: to appear, show up
to appear, show up aparecer
I appear eu apareço
you/he/she appear(s) você/ele/ela aparece
we appear nós aparecemos
you all/they appear vocês/eles/elas aparecem
*Often confused with PARECER (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/portuguese-grammar/parecer/) which also
means to appear – but in the someone or something SEEMs.
me.net/verbo-acompanhar)
Aparece mais vezes. (Come again!)

Eu apareço no filme. (I'm in the movie.)
tags/verbs/)
marcar: to schedule
to schedule marcar
I schedule eu marco
you/he/she schedule(s) você/ele/ela marca
MARCAR is often used when talking about setting a date. The

opposite of MARCAR is DESMARCAR. You can also
REMARCAR –> reschedule.
me.net/verbo-marcar)
Vamos marcar uma reuniao. (Let's set up a meeting.)

Precisamos remarcar. (We need to reschedule.)
tags/verbs/)
combinar: to agree, combine
to arrange, agree on,

combinar
combine
I arrange eu combino
you/he/she arrange(s) on você/ele/ela combina

me.net/verbo-combinar)
present indicative » Vamos combinar um encontro. Let's

arrange a meeting.
preterit indicative » Ela combinou de me encontrar. She
agreed tp meet me.
past participle » Vamos ao cinema - combinado? Let's go to
the movies, deal?
tags/verbs/)
Dialog: Me Liga
demonstrative pronouns
There are 3 different words for saying this and 3 for that. Which
one you use depends on the gender of the thing you’re talking
about.
This & That (conversational)

m=masculne, f=feminine, n=neutral
this (m) > esse: Esse carro é seu? (Is this your car?)
that (m) > aquele: Aquele prédio é alto. (That's a tall
building.)
this (f) > essa: Adoro essa loja! (I love this store!)
that (f) > aquela: Quero aquela camisa. (I want that shirt.)
this (n) > isso: O que é isso? (What is this?)
that (n) > aquilo: Tem nada a ver com aquilo. (It has nothing
to do with that.)
*All of these contract (combine) with any other prepositions or

articles that come before them (contractions with em
grammar/contractions-with-em/), with de
grammar/contractions-with-de/))
em esse = nesse
de esse = desse
em aquele = naquele
de aquele = daquele
nesse » Nós vamos numa festa nesse prédio. (We're going to

a party in this building.)
desse » Por que você está falando desse jeito? (Why are you
speaking this way?)
naquele » Não vou naquele lugar. (I'm not going in that
place.)
daquele » Foi um dia daqueles. (It was one of those days.)
Post: THIS & THAT – Demonstrative Pronouns

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/demonstrative-
pronouns-24160/)
Video
papo
BATER papo = to chat (literally: to hit chat). O papo = the chat.
O papo dele é muito bom. (He's good at chatting.)

Vamos bater papo! (Let's chat.)
expressions (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/expressions/)



the action verb.
you.)

you.)
you.)
pronouns-22188/)
Video
baixar: to lower, download
to lower baixar
I lower eu baixo
you/he/she lower(s) você/ele/ela baixa

me.net/verbo-baixar)
tags/verbs/)
combinar: to agree, combine
to arrange, agree on,

combinar
combine
I arrange eu combino
you/he/she arrange(s) on você/ele/ela combina

me.net/verbo-combinar)
present indicative » Vamos combinar um encontro. Let's

arrange a meeting.
preterit indicative » Ela combinou de me encontrar. She
agreed tp meet me.
past participle » Vamos ao cinema - combinado? Let's go to
the movies, deal?
tags/verbs/)
funcionar: to function
to function funcionar
I function eu funciono
you/he/she function(s) você/ele/ela funciona

me.net/verbo-funcionar)
tags/verbs/)
marcar: to schedule
to schedule marcar
I schedule eu marco
you/he/she schedule(s) você/ele/ela marca
MARCAR is often used when talking about setting a date. The

opposite of MARCAR is DESMARCAR. You can also
REMARCAR –> reschedule.
me.net/verbo-marcar)
Vamos marcar uma reuniao. (Let's set up a meeting.)

Precisamos remarcar. (We need to reschedule.)
tags/verbs/)
Dialog: Na Locadora
aí, ali & lá

The 3 words used to express, there are:
aí: where the listener is.
ali: within eyesight
lá: out of sight
(lá) Lá eu trabalhei por 15 anos. I worked there for 15 years.

(ali) Tem um ATM ali na esquina. There's an ATM there on the
corner.
(aí) A Raquel está aí em casa? Is Raquel there at home?
Posts: Lá in Portuguese (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/la-in-portuguese-22617/) | lá, ali, aí – saying
THERE in Portuguese (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/there-in-portuguese-36195/)
Video
contractions do & da
De (of) combines (contracts) with ‘the”: o & a.
With o and a: (the)
de + o = do > É a casa do Marcelo. (It’s Marcelo’s house.)

de + a = da > Eu sou da Bahia. (I’m from Bahia.)
Post: Portuguese Contractions (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/common-portuguese-contractions-21620/)
Video
contractions (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/contractions/)
indefinite pronouns: algum, nenhum

algum(a) = some
nenhum(a) = no one
algum > Vamos para algum lugar. (Let's go somewhere.)

alguma > Mais alguma coisa? (Something more?)
nenhum > Nenhum carro me interessa. (No car interests me.)
nenhuma > Nenhuma dessas coisas. (None of these things.)
Plurals:
alguns, algumas = some
Some cars are new.

Some people like soccer.
ser & estar

Ser is for somewhat permanent characteristics. Don’t take this
too literally – nothing is truly permanent
very permanent > Meu nome é Raquel. (My name is Raquel.)

somewhat permanent > Eu sou brasileiro. (I'm Brazilian.)
not so permanent > Ele é casado. (He's married.)
Estar is for temporary passing things.
Eu estou cansado. (I'm tired.)

Como você está? (How are you?)
Posts: SER and ESTAR (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/ser-and-estar-25977/) | ESTAR – the
definitive reference (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/estar-the-definitive-reference-27511/) | To
SER or not to ser. (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/to-ser-or-not-to-ser-21374/)
Video
tags/verbs/)
seria
SER = to be.
Seria is the conditional form: would be.
Seria um ou dois? (Would that be one, or two?)

Seria mais difícil assim. (It would be more difficult like that.)
Seria uma ótima ideia. (it would be a great idea.)

Dialog: Sessão de Terapia 1
dar para
DAR para = to be possible (to)
Use this when you want to convey the possibility of something.
Dá para fazer? (Can it be done?/ Would it be possible to

do?)
Dá para usar? (Can it be used?/ Would it be possible to
use?)
Post: Dar para (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/dar-para-21352/)
Video
querer dizer
This translates to “to mean”.
Quer dizer que você está sem dinheiro? (You mean you have
no money?)
Eu quero dizer que eu gostei! (I mean that I liked it!)
Literally: to want to say.
Video


the action verb.
you.)

you.)
you.)

pronouns-22188/)
Video
present progressive tense

Use this to say what’s happening right now: I’m working, He’s
surfing, You’re talking, etc. It’s often considered the Portuguese
“ing”.
ESTAR + verb with ending:

ar verbs » ando
er verbs » endo
ir verbs » indo
-ar verbs
I’m arriving Eu estou chegando

Who’s talking? Quem está falando?
-er verbs
I’m eating. Eu estou comendo

He’s losing. Ele está perdendo
-ir verbs
I’m insisting. Eu estou insistindo

She’s driving. Ela está dirigindo
*You’ll hear this conjugation called the gerund.
Eu estou trabalhando agora. (I'm working now.)

Você está comendo açúcar? (Are you eating sugar?)
Ele está dirigindo. (He's driving.)
Posts: The Present Progressive (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/the-present-progressive-26489/) | The
Present Progressive : examples (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/the-portuguese-gerund-2-30149/)
Video


to be ser
I was eu fui
to go ir
I went eu fui
IR » Fui! I went!
yesterday.
together.

29717/)
Video

Dialog: Faxineira parte 1
conditional tense
To say, would you add an ia to the verb’s infinitive. The
irregulars are not that difficult to learn.
Ele trabalharia hoje mas... (He would work today but...)

O que ele diria? (What would he say?)
Eu falaria, sim. (I would say, yes.)
Post: the Conditional in Portuguese

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/the-conditional-in-
portuguese-19521/)

expression: jeito
jeito = way, manner
Several important expressions use this word:
dar um jeito
Literally, to give a way.
Use it to say: We will find a way (to fix something, solve a
problem).
Vou dar um jeito nesse cabelo! (I'm going to fix this hair!)
Ele vai dar um jeito para resolver. (He's going to find a way to
solve it.)
não tem jeito

There is no way.
de jeito nenhum
No way! / Absolutely not!
Simplesmente não tem jeito. (There's simply no way.)

De jeito nenhum! (Absolutely not!)
Post: The Portuguese JEITO (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/portuguese-jeito-53605/)
imaginar: to imagine
to imagine imaginar
I imagine eu imagino
you/he/she imagine(s) você/ele/ela imagina
me.net/verbo-imaginar)
tags/verbs/)
passar: to pass
to pass passar
I pass eu passo
you/he/she pass(es) você/ele/ela passa

me.net/verbo-passar)
tags/verbs/)
articles o & a
In Portuguese, the article the is used more often than in
English.
It’s commonly placed before someone’s name,
o Jorge
a Marisa
as well as
In general, most nouns (things) are also preceded by the.
masculine: o barco (the boat)

feminine: a feira (the fair)
masculine: Você gostou do carro? (Did you like the car?)
feminine: Vamos para a casa da Clara. (Let's go to Clara's
house.)
The gender of the: o or a, depends on the subject.

Masculine nouns usually end in o, feminine in a.
There are many exceptions. Here are the most common:
irregular: o programa (the program)

irregular: o cinema (the cinema)
irregular: o clima (the cimate)
irregular: o problema (the problem)
irregular: o sofa (the sofa)
irregular: o dia (the day)
irregular: o cara (the dude, man)
ambiguous: a carne (the meat)
ambiguous: a colher (the spoon)
ambiguous: a chave (the key)
ambiguous: a foto (the photo)
ambiguous: a noite (the night)
ambiguous: a vez (the time, turn)
ambiguous: o leite (the milk)
Post: Portuguese Articles: the The

articles-21004/)
Video
estou > tô
está > tá
estamos > tamos
estão > tão


tags/verbs/)
estou > tô
está > tá
estamos > tamos
estão > tão


tags/verbs/)
demonstrative pronouns
There are 3 different words for saying this and 3 for that. Which
one you use depends on the gender of the thing you’re talking
about.
This & That (conversational)

m=masculne, f=feminine, n=neutral
this (m) > esse: Esse carro é seu? (Is this your car?)
that (m) > aquele: Aquele prédio é alto. (That's a tall
building.)
this (f) > essa: Adoro essa loja! (I love this store!)
that (f) > aquela: Quero aquela camisa. (I want that shirt.)
this (n) > isso: O que é isso? (What is this?)
that (n) > aquilo: Tem nada a ver com aquilo. (It has nothing
to do with that.)
*All of these contract (combine) with any other prepositions or

articles that come before them (contractions with em
grammar/contractions-with-em/), with de
grammar/contractions-with-de/))
em esse = nesse
de esse = desse
em aquele = naquele
de aquele = daquele
nesse » Nós vamos numa festa nesse prédio. (We're going to
a party in this building.)
desse » Por que você está falando desse jeito? (Why are you
speaking this way?)
naquele » Não vou naquele lugar. (I'm not going in that
place.)
daquele » Foi um dia daqueles. (It was one of those days.)
Post: THIS & THAT – Demonstrative Pronouns

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/demonstrative-
pronouns-24160/)
Video
imperfect subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive tense to talk about things that are
extremely unlikely to have happened or happen.
*Also called the Preterit Imperfect or, the Past Subjunctive.
Se eu soubesse... (If I knew / were to know...)

Se você falasse... (If you said / were to say...)
Se você tivessel... (If you had / were to have...)
It’s most often used together with the conditional

grammar/future-of-the-preterit/):
Se eu soubesse tudo seria sábio. If I knew everything I'd be
wise.
Se fosse ele eu te contaria. If it were he I would tell you.
Se eu tivesse tempo estudaria mais. If I have time I'd study
more.
Posts: the Imperfect Subjunctive (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/imperfect-subjunctive-2733/) | the
Portuguese Subjunctive (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/the-portuguese-subjunctive-
29410/) | Imperfect Subjunctive + Conditional
(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/imperfect-
subjunctive-conditional-21530/)


to be ser
I was eu fui
to go ir
I went eu fui

IR » Fui! I went!
yesterday.
together.

29717/)
Video

Dialog: Assento Marcado
contractions with a
a (to) always combines (contracts) with certain words that follow
it.
With o and a: (the)
a + o = ao > Nós vamos ao cinema. (We’re going to the

movies.)
a+a=à> Vamos à praia. (Let’s go to the beach.)
With aquele, aquela and aquilo: (that)
a + aquele = àquele > Não falo mais àquele homem (I don’t

speak to that man any more.)
a + aquela = àquela > Entregue àquela moça. (Deliver this
card to that girl.)
a + aquilo = àquilo > Foi referência àquilo. (It was a reference
to that.)
Post: Portuguese Contractions (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/common-portuguese-contractions-21620/)
contractions (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/grammar-tags/contractions/)
diminutives & augmentatives

Brazilians like to add endings at the end of words to give them a
sense of cuteness or smallness or, as a sign of affection. These
are called diminutives. The most common diminutive suffixes
are:
masculine words --inho > bonitinho, devagarinho (cute,

slowly)
masculine words --zinho > cafezinho, amorzinho (coffee,
love)
feminine words --inha > garotinha, cervejinha (girl, beer)
feminine words --zinha > florzinha, mezinha (flower, table)
There are many different suffixes but these above are by far the
most common. A more complete reference to using diminutives
& augmentatives can be found at Street Smart Brazil.
(https://streetsmartbrazil.com/use-diminutives-brazilian-
portuguese/)
It’s also very common to change noun endings to lend a sense

of largeness or grandness. These are called augmentatives. The
most common augmentative suffixes are:
--ão > Ele é meu amigão. (He's my great friend.)
--arão > Moro num casarão. (I live in a big house.)
Post: Physical descriptions in Portuguese

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/physical-
descriptions-portuguese-27473/)
Video
double negative
It’s not required to use a negative (não) twice in a sentence.
However, Brazilians love to use the double negative.
Eu não quero não. (I don't want any.)

Eu não quero nada não. (I don't want anything.)
Não quero nada disso não! (I don't want any of this!)
Video
dar para
DAR para = to be possible (to)
Use this when you want to convey the possibility of something.
Dá para fazer? (Can it be done?/ Would it be possible to
do?)
Dá para usar? (Can it be used?/ Would it be possible to
use?)
Post: Dar para (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/dar-para-21352/)
Video
the infinitive
The Portuguese infinitive is just the verb itself – unconjugated.
These generally translate as “to run, to drink, to love, to do”
ETC.
ar verb » Eu não quero falar. I don't want to speak.

er verb » A gente vai fazer uma festa. We're going to have a
party.
ir verb » Você quer ir ao hotel? Do you want to go to the
hotel?
Verbs after prepositions (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/portuguese-grammar/prepositions/) have to
be in the infinitive form:
a = at, to Vamos começar a correr. Let's start to running.

de = of, from Vou parar de tomar café. I'm going to stop
drinking coffee.
em = in, on Tenho dificuldade em dizer nao. I have difficulty
saying no.
sem = without Eu estou falando sem parar. I'm talking non-
stop.
até = until Ela vai comer até morrer. She's going to eat until
death.
para = to, for Ela esta pronta para viajar. She's ready to
travel.
Post: the Portuguese infinitive (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/the-portuguese-infinitive-50674/)
de
The meaning of the preposition de changes with context to
mean either of, from, by, with or about.
of ➜ É de madeira. (It's made of wood.)

from ➜ De onde você é? (from where are you?)
by ➜ Vamos de carro. (Let's go by car.)
with ➜ Estou de relógio. (I have a watch.)
about ➜ De que você quer falar? (What do you want to talk
about?)
When a verb comes right after de, they’re almost always in the
infinitive. (https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/the-
infinitive-50674/) You would translate them as to talk, to do, to
run ETC. OR ⇢ talking, doing, running. ETC.
de brigar ➜ Para de brigar. (Stop fighting.)

de falar ➜ Fico constrangido de falar. (I'm embarrassed to
speak.)
de comer ➜ É a hora de comer. (It's time to eat.)
de falar ➜ Para de falar. (Stop talking.)
Posts: Portuguese preposition de (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/portuguese-preposition-de-36722/) | the
Portuguese infinitive (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/the-portuguese-infinitive-50674/)
Video
present tense of ser

Ser is very irregular.
to be (permanent) ser
I am eu sou
you/he/she are/is você/ele/ela é
we are nós somos
they/you all are eles/elas são
* More accurately called, the present indicative tense.
Video

Dialog: Blaqout
aí, ali & lá

The 3 words used to express, there are:
aí: where the listener is.
ali: within eyesight
lá: out of sight
(lá) Lá eu trabalhei por 15 anos. I worked there for 15 years.

(ali) Tem um ATM ali na esquina. There's an ATM there on the
corner.
(aí) A Raquel está aí em casa? Is Raquel there at home?
Posts: Lá in Portuguese (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/la-in-portuguese-22617/) | lá, ali, aí – saying
THERE in Portuguese (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/there-in-portuguese-36195/)
Video
past participles
A past participle is just a verb conjugation that describes
something that is over and done: written, said, cooked, closed
etc.
A porta está aberta. (The door is opened.)

O projeto é completado. (The project is completed.)
Ela está cansada. (She's tired.)
Ele foi morto. (He was killed.)
*The endings must take the gender of the subject:

a porta está aberta
o escritório está aberto
Post: Hacking Portuguese Participles

(https://www.semantica-portuguese.com/hacking-
portuguese-participles-30182/)
Video

ser & estar

Ser is for somewhat permanent characteristics. Don’t take this
too literally – nothing is truly permanent
very permanent > Meu nome é Raquel. (My name is Raquel.)

somewhat permanent > Eu sou brasileiro. (I'm Brazilian.)
not so permanent > Ele é casado. (He's married.)
Estar is for temporary passing things.
Eu estou cansado. (I'm tired.)

Como você está? (How are you?)
Posts: SER and ESTAR (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/ser-and-estar-25977/) | ESTAR – the
definitive reference (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/estar-the-definitive-reference-27511/) | To
SER or not to ser. (https://www.semantica-
portuguese.com/to-ser-or-not-to-ser-21374/)
Video
tags/verbs/)
tão
Use tão to express so, so much, so very. Use it convey degree,
not quantity.
Eu fiquei tão cansado. (I got so sleepy.)

O filme é tão triste. (The movie is so sad.)
Ela parece tão feliz. ( She looks so happy.)
colocar: to put, place

Along with verbs botar & pôr, colocar is used is the same ways.
to put, place colocar
I put, place eu coloco

you/he/she put(s),
você/ele/ela coloca
places(s)

me.net/verbo-colocar)
present » Dá para colocar uma TV lá. » You could put a TV
there.
past » Eu não coloquei gelo. » I didn't put any ice.
past » Ja coloquei meu curriculo para a vaga. » I already put
in my CV for the opening.
imperative » Coloque no máximo possível. » Put it on max.
past participle » O prato foi colocado na mesa. » The plate
was placed on the table.
tags/verbs/)
Dialog: Caiu
mesmo
Mesmo can be used to add emphasis in the same way really
does.
Agora mesmo. Right now.

É só amizade mesmo. It's really just friendship.
É um bom preço mesmo. It's really a good price.
Mesmo can also mean, the same and even.
...mesmo que por 5 minutos. ...even for 5 minutes

nos-ficamos-no-mesmo-hotel We're staying at the same
hotel
Post: Mesmo in Portuguese (https://www.semantica-

portuguese.com/mesmo-in-portuguese-27093/)
Video

to be ser
I was eu fui
to go ir
I went eu fui

IR » Fui! I went!
yesterday.
together.

29717/)
Video

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Portuguese-Grammar-Summary 5

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Grammar topics: Level 2 Street Dialogs

Dialog: Serviço Mal Pago, parte 1

Post: Portuguese Adverbs of Intensity

Nem pensar! (Don't even think about it! )

object pronouns (simple)

para você > gets replaced by te

These make sentences shorter, more streamlined.

You can also replace você in situations like this:

Eu não conheço você. > Eu não te conheço. (I don't know

Post: Using te instead of você: Object Pronouns

simple past tense ~ir verbs

to leave, depart partir

(eu) Eu consegui o apartamento! I got the apartment!

simple past tense: ser, ir

IR » Foi muito bem. It went really well.

* More accurately called, the preterit indicative tense.

Post: FUI in Portuguese – the past tense of IR

verb tenses (https://www.semantica-

Complete conjugation. (https://www.conjuga-

Acaba sendo muito difícil. (It ends up being very diﬃcult.)

When a “de” is added : ACABAR de (https://www.semantica-

O filme acabou de começar. (The film just started.)

Post: Acabar in Portuguese vs. Acabar de

In olde English “to divine” meant foresee, foreknow, anticipate,

Adivinha quanto custou. (Guess how much it cost.)

Dialog: Serviço Mal Pago, parte 2

Me liga quando você chegar. (Call me when you arrive.)

Words that almost always trigger this tense:

Post: the Future Subjunctive (https://www.semantica-

Tell me everything! Me conte tudo!

-er and -ir regular verbs

Get out of here! Suma daqui!

esperar » Me espera! (Wait for me!)

Post: The Portuguese Imperative (https://www.semantica-

verb tenses (https://www.semantica-

present tense ~ir verbs

to leave, depart partir

* More accurately called, the present indicative tense.

verb tenses (https://www.semantica-

buscar: to pick-up, search for

to pick-up, search for buscar

Complete conjugation. (https://www.conjuga-

to want querer (irregular)

Complete conjugation. (https://www.conjuga-

eu quero Eu quero ir. (I want to go.)

This is becomming the accepted standard, preferred form of

Eu estou aqui. > Eu tô aqui. (I'm here.)

Is there a pharmacy nearby? » Tem uma farmácia por

por acaso = by chance

Is there a bank around here? » Tem um banco por aqui?

por perto = close by (literally, by close)

By chance do you have a lighter? » Por acaso você tem

por volta de = about, around (literally, for return of)

I’m leaving around 3 o’clock. » Eu vou sair por volta das

I’m retiring for health reasons. » Vou me aposentar por

por causa de = because of (literally, for cause of)

It’s due to an error. » Por causa de um erro.

por enquanto = for a while (literally, for while)

Meanwhile, we’re going to wait. » Por enquanto nós

por » by, on, of

Is there an ATM around here? » Tem um caixa eletrônica

por perto » close-by

Is there a pharmacy nearby? » Tem uma farmácia por