The verb pôr is an unusual Portuguese verb.
You may be surprised to learn that all verbs ending in -OR are actually part of the same group as verbs that end in –ER. 🤔 These “-por” verbs are considered part of the -ER group because of their Latin origins: pôr used to be written as poer (i.e. with an -ER ending), which comes from the Latin word ponere.
Let’s look at the present tense conjugations, which are irregular:
Indicativo
Ela põe manteiga no pãoShe puts butter on the bread
There are also some derivative verbs that end in “-por” (notice the dropped ˆ circumflex). These verbs are conjugated with the same endings:
Indicativo
Tu compões peças lindasYou compose beautiful pieces.
- eu componhoI composeindicativo > presente tu compõesYou sing.,inf. composeindicativo > presente ele / ela compõeHe / She composesindicativo > presente você compõeyou formal composeindicativo > presente nós compomoswe composeindicativo > presente eles / elas compõemthey composeindicativo > presente vocês compõemyou pl. composeindicativo > presente
Indicativo
Eu proponho que acabemos isto amanhãI propose that we finish this tomorrow.
- eu proponhoI proposeindicativo > presente tu propõesYou sing.,inf. proposeindicativo > presente ele / ela propõeHe / She proposesindicativo > presente você propõeyou formal proposeindicativo > presente nós propomoswe proposeindicativo > presente eles / elas propõemthey proposeindicativo > presente vocês propõemyou pl. proposeindicativo > presente
We’ll practice using the verb pôr and its derivatives in the following lessons.
Ah, it helps a lot to see the Latin root – I’d been wondering how this verb relates to “poner” in Spanish. Now I see!
Hi,
I can’t figure out when to use ” a mala dela” or ” a sua mala”
Is there a rule or is it optional?
I am really enjoying the course and I am glad I chose you for leaning Portuguese
Thank you
Stein
Good question! They are both accurate, though “a mala dela” is a bit more common to hear. Using dele and dela makes it less ambiguous, so you would only want to use “a sua mala” if it’s clear from context who you are talking about (since sua could mean your(formal), his, her, or their). You’ll learn more about the difference between these forms in the Possessives unit.
Hi guys! In the first exercise, why is it “… a roupa lá fora” and not “na fora”? I haven’t seen “lá fora” before 🙂 (also, sorry if I’m asking this in the wrong place, this is my first time posting a question!) Thank you, obrigada!
Olá, Hayley! “Lá fora” is our usual way of saying “outside”. “Na fora” wouldn’t be grammatically correct, because prepositions/articles (you have both here, since na = em + a) aren’t paired up with adverbs like “fora”. So instead, you get this combination of two adverbs, “lá fora” 🙂 “Fora” on its own might be understood as just “out”, rather than “outside”.
Thank you so much, Joseph! I’ve definitely been saying na fora… 😂 So I’ll make sure to commit this one to memory!
How would one say can I put more money on this card? As in adding funds to my andante card. I’m assuming it’s not a literal translation, by the funny look I was given by the ticket person.
I believe a literal translation wouldn’t be that bad: “Posso meter mais dinheiro neste cartão?”
Anyway, the best way would probably be to say “Posso carregar este cartão?” (Can I top up this card?)
Next time try that one and let us know if you got the same funny look! 😉
I appreciate the images you have for each verb. They make sense and help me think directly in Portuguese rather than translating from English. That said, of course I’m grateful for the translations. Sometimes I need them! Really you have done a tremendous job with Practice Portuguese!
I would just like to say that I very much enjoy your grammar notes – they make learning the language so much more interesting and (hopefully) memorable! Thank you
It’s wonderful to hear that! Thank YOU, Ann! 🙂
Super helpful! Pôr has been something of a mystery, but knowing it used to be spelled poer is hugely helpful!