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Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation

Adverbs of afirmaçãoaffirmation and adverbs of negaçãonegation are some of the most essential words in all of the Portuguese language (and, indeed, any language). They are always invariable, so there is no need to worry about different variations.

Affirmation

Adverbs of affirmation are, as the name implies, words which signify that a given statement is true, or “positive”. They include:

Sim

SimYes literally just means yes. Things don’t get any simpler than this.
Example:
Sim, eu vou contigo.Yes, I’ll go with you.

Realmente

RealmenteIndeed is the equivalent of indeed in English.
Example:
Realmente, este casaco é confortável.Indeed, this jacket is comfortable.

Certamente

CertamenteCertainly, for sure is the Portuguese equivalent of certainly or for sure in English.
Examples:
Estás a perguntar-me se quero gelado? Certamente!You’re asking me whether I want ice-cream? For sure!
Esse é certamente um bom motivo.That is certainly a good motive.

Negation

Adverbs of negation, on the other hand, declare that a given statement is false, or “negative”. They include:

Não

The most frequently used adverb (maybe even word!) in the entire Portuguese language, NãoNo, not is equivalent to no or not.
Example:
Não, não quero esse livro.No, I do not want that book.

Nem

NemNot even corresponds to not even. It is often (but not always) paired with the word sequereven , which reinforces the negation expressed by nem.
Example:
Nem sequer trouxe o meu portátil.I didn’t even bring my laptop.
Tu nem sequer tens tempo!You don't even have time!
Eu nem sei o que dizer.I don't even know what to say.

Nunca

NuncaNever is equivalent to never.
Example:
Nunca fui ao Algarve.I’ve never been to the Algarve.

Jamais

JamaisNever ever is a very emphatic adverb. It’s a more intense version of never, so you could think of it as never ever.
Example:
Jamais voltarei àquele restaurante!I’ll never, ever return to that restaurant!
Now that you’ve seen an example of each adverb, let’s practice using them in the next lesson.

Comments

  • hello, the expression “nem sequer” is difficult to understand. Does “sequer” always follow “nem”? In what instance? Would it be possible to have more examples of this expression. Thanks a lot

    • Hi, Marie. “Sequer” doesn’t have to follow the word “nem”, but it’s a very common combination. If it helps you, in French, “nem sequer” would be just like the expression “ni même” 🙂 The word “sequer” puts extra emphasis on the negation. I’ve just updated the Learning Note with a bit more information about that.

  • Thank you so much. I always try to find the french equivalent and nem sequer was particularly tough ! Ni même is very easy☺

  • So do the expressions “Tu nem sequer tens tempo” and “Tu nem tens tempo” translate differently into English? It’s unclear based on your explanation above. DeepL gives the same result.

  • Hi guys, I am trying to understand the difference between só and apenas. If I am correct only só can be used as an adjective but they can both be used as adverbs. In the adverb case, is there a difference between them or are they interchangeable to mean ‘just’, for example ‘apenas três pessoas podem entrar’ or ‘só três pessoas podem entrar’?

    • Olá, Michael. All correct! can be used as an adjective to mean alone, and as an adverb to mean only, in which case it’s interchangeable with apenas.

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