Portuguese connectors are prepositions that link one verb to another, usually when the second verb appears in the infinitive.
These small words — a, de, em, por, para, sem — are not optional. Certain verbs require a specific connector to sound correct.
When Portuguese verbs connect, the connector is what makes the sentence work.
Eu comecei a cozinhar.
I started cooking.
Eu parei de fumar.
I stopped smoking.
Without the connector and the sentence breaks — even if the meaning feels “close enough” in English.
Common verb + connector pairs
Some verbs come permanently wired with their connector:
começar + a
Eu comecei a estudar.
➜ I started studying.
parar + de
Ele parou de fumar.
➜ He stopped smoking.
voltar + a
Ela voltou a trabalhar.
➜ She started working again.
aprender + a
Estou aprendendo a nadar.
➜ I’m learning to swim.
esquecer + de
Você esqueceu de ligar.
➜ You forgot to call.
lembrar + de
Lembre-se de desligar o fogão.
➜ Remember to turn off the stove.
gostar + de
Eles gostam de cozinhar juntos.
➜ They like to cook together.
Other connectors you’ll see often
pensar + em ➜ Pensei em mudar de emprego. ➜ I thought about changing jobs.
acreditar + em ➜ Acredito em vencer. ➜ I believe in winning.
sonhar + com ➜ Eu sonho com viajar pelo mundo. ➜ I dream of traveling the world.
agradecer + por ➜ Agradeço por ter vindo. ➜ I thank you for coming.
sem (without) ➜ Fez isso sem pensar. ➜ He did it without thinking.
Chaining multiple verbs
Portuguese allows long chains — as long as each verb keeps its connector.
One important warning about de
De appears constantly — but not every verb needs it.
Incorrect:
Eu acabei de decidir de não sair.
Correct:
Eu acabei de decidir não sair.
Ela acabou de começar a estudar. ➜ She just started studying.
Eles esqueceram de tentar parar de fumar. ➜ They forgot to try to stop smoking.