We know, we know… No matter how essential they are, and are two difficult verbs. If the simplified distinction in the previous lesson wasn’t enough for you, you’re in luck. In this lesson, we’ll have a more detailed look at how and when to use ser, with plenty of examples to guide you. Later on […]
When to Use Ser
Irregular -IR Verbs
Quick review of regular -IR verb endings Let’s start out with a regular -IR verb example, just to cleanse your palate 🍷: Irregular -IR Verbs And now, a very common and very irregular example: Here’s another irregular (and perhaps less scary) example:
Buying a Home in Portugal
In recent years, more and more foreigners have been looking into buying a home in Portugal. Housing prices dropped significantly after an economic downturn, but as the economy recovers, property prices are beginning to rise again, especially in certain areas. Still, interest rates remain low and many are drawn to the climate, quality of life, […]
Irregular -ER Verbs
Quick review of regular -ER verb endings Let’s start out with a regular verb: The verb stem escrev- is combined with the regular -ER present tense endings (-o, –es, –e, –emos, –em). Irregular -ER Verbs For an irregular example, let’s have a look at , which you’ve likely seen by now. This verb is a […]
Regular -IR Verbs in the Present Tense
As mentioned, verbs are split into three groups: -ar verbs -er verbs -ir verbs Now we’ll deal with the 3rd and final group: -IR verbs! IR Verb Endings The regular -IR verb conjugations are almost the same as the -ER verbs, except for one little difference… can you spot it? 🤔
Indefinite Articles in Portuguese
How to Say A, An, & Some In Portuguese We just learned how to say “the car” using definite articles, but what if you want to talk about “a car” in general? This is called an , because we’re talking about an undefined car, rather than a specific instance of a car. In English, we […]
Collective Numbers
Collective numbers are those that even in their singular form indicate a group of beings or things: Sometimes they indicate the exact number of things in the group, as in the example above. A quarteto is a musical group of 4 people. Other times, they are more general:
Fractional Numbers
In this lesson, we’ll learn about , which define exact fractions, or parts, of a given thing. Let’s have a look: List of Portuguese Fractional Numbers Fractional numbers 1/2 – 1/10 Fractional numbers 1/11 – 1/19 Fractional numbers 1/20 – 1/1000
Multiplier Numbers
Multipliers define multiples of a given thing or person. Let’s have a look at a few: Multiplier numbers are always preceded by the definite article o, and they’re paired with the preposition de (or its prepositional contractions).
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers tell us the order people, animals, or things take in a specific series: They are variable, meaning they must match the subject in gender and number. For example:
Cardinal Numbers
What are cardinal numbers? Cardinal numbers are basically regular ol’ numbers. They simply indicate the number of people, animals, or things. They are invariable, except… The majority of cardinal numbers are invariable, meaning they only have one form. For example, you say três meninos (3 boys) and três meninas (3 girls). There is only one […]
Introduction to Numbers in Portuguese
In this unit, we’ll learn about Portuguese numbers, known as or . Números are just one type of , but they are so important that we thought they deserved their own unit. We’ll explore some of the other quantifiers in the How Much? How Many? unit. But for now, let’s go over the números, which […]
Existential Quantifiers: Many, Few, Some
In this lesson, we’ll learn about . Existential quantifiers provide information about quantity without specifying an exact quantity or amount. In English, we would use words like many, few, some, so much, another, several, and plenty. Let’s take a look at how to express these concepts in Portuguese. Muito, Muita, Muitos, Muitas Muito and muita are […]
Universal Quantifiers: All or None
In this lesson, we’ll learn about . Universal quantifiers are quantifiers that apply to every element of a given group. In English, this would include words like all, none, any, both, and every. Let’s learn about each of the words used to express these concepts in Portuguese. Todo, Toda, Todos, Todas Todo and toda are the singular […]
Interrogative Quantifiers: How Much? How Many?
In this lesson, we’ll take a look at . Interrogative quantifiers introduce questions related to quantities. These types of questions are invariably answered using another quantifier. The interrogative quantifiers include: How much? When used to question a quantity, quanto and quanta are the singular form equivalents to “how much” in English. (In an upcoming lesson, […]
Relative Quantifiers: As Much As
In this lesson, we’ll learn about . Relative quantifiers don’t specify an exact quantity, but instead tell us about how a quantity compares in relation to an unspecified whole. As expected, the determiner used matches the gender and number of the item(s) it refers to. Quanto, Quanta, Quantos, Quantas Quanto and quanta are used in […]
Determiners vs. Pronouns
To master Portuguese, it is essential that we tackle determiners. As you may recall, we have already learned about a few types of determiners in previous units, such as articles, possessives, and demonstratives. So this will be a good opportunity to review, as well as to be introduced to some new types. In this unit, […]
Demonstrative Determiners
In this lesson, we’ll review a topic we’ve covered before, which is Portuguese demonstratives – este, esta, esse, essa, aquele, and aquela – as well as their plural forms. In Portuguese, demonstrative determiners indicate where something is in relation to to the speaker and listener in terms of place or time, and must agree in […]
Interrogative Determiners
In this lesson we’ll learn about Interrogative determiners are words we use to formulate questions or exclamations, and they are followed by nouns. There are only two of them, but they are quite important! Que Que is equivalent to “what”. Example: There is no plural form of que. Qual / Quais Qual is the singular […]
Indefinite Determiners
In this lesson, we’ll have a look at Indefinite determiners are words that express an undefined quality about the noun they’re referencing, similar to “other people”, “another beer”, or “certain things” in English. In Portuguese, indefinite determiners always agree in gender and number with the noun. Other & Another The singular forms of “other” or “another” […]
Clitic Pronouns: Nos & Vos
In this lesson we’ll explore two more clitic object pronouns in Portuguese, nos and vos. A quick reminder: With 1st person plural verbs that end in s, such as vamos, the s is dropped before adding the pronoun nos. For example: vamos + nos = vamo-nos, as in Nos Nos corresponds to us or to/for us, […]
Reflexive Pronouns
Portuguese reflexive verbs are formed by adding the reflexive pronouns me, te, se, or nos. When the direct object or indirect object represents the same person or thing as the subject of the verb, it’s expressed by a reflexive pronoun. In other words, we use reflexive pronouns when the action is something one does to […]
Definite and Indefinite Articles
In this lesson, we’ll compare Portuguese definite articles and indefinite articles. are small words that precede and define a noun. In Portuguese, articles take on different forms to agree in gender and number with the noun they define. In English, we just have the definite article the and the indefinite articles a, an, and some. […]
Clitic Pronouns: Me & Te
In this lesson we’ll explore the first two clitic object pronouns in Portuguese, me and te. A few quick reminders: No hyphens are required if they’re proclitics (placed before the verb) 2 hyphens are required if they’re mesoclitic (placed between two parts of verb) 1 hyphen is required if they’re enclitics (placed after the verb) […]