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…
Prepositions, Verbs, and the Infinite Web of Brazilian Portuguese You may have noticed that certain verbs in Portuguese often get paired up with a de, a com, por, em ETC. That’s because certain verbs need something between themselves and the next verb in the sentence — a connector. A preposition. And they are very choosy…
Read more...We’ve written about ACABAR de before — because it’s such a useful combination. When you place a de after acabar, it takes on the meaning of, to have just. ACABAR in Portuguese by itself means: to end, to end-up, to finish. Everyone gets these mixed-up (confundida) ~ That DE makes all the difference! Use ACABAR…
Read more...Past & Present Progressive tenses of PEDIR *This is the preterit indicative tense. PEDIR in the present: eu peço (irregular!) ➜ ➜ I ask for patience. você|ele|ela pede ➜ ➜ She always asks for more. PEDIR in the preterit(simple past): eu pedi ➜ ➜ I ordered the chicken. você|ele|ela pediu ➜ ➜ What did you…
What’s so special about the verbs PARAR & COMEÇAR? For starters you’ve probably noticed that you always have to treat these verbs a little differently. For example, you can’t say “I stopped eating sugar” like this: eu parei comer açucar (NÃO!) — you need to include a de like this: Eu parei de comer açucar….
Read more...The Portuguese infinitive is just the verb itself – unconjugated. These generally translate as “to run, to drink, to love, to do” ETC.
By combining ACABAR with “de” (acabar de) you immediately gain SUPERPOWERS. You’ll be able to say things like: I just arrived; She wound up buying that car, and more! The amazing thing about Portuguese is that you can shape-shift verbs just by adding connector words like “de” or, “a” for example.
Read more...In English, the infinitive form is “to” + the verb. Like this: to dance, to kiss, to spend etc. The Portuguese infinitive is just the verb itself: falar, comer, dormir etc. There’s no need to add a “to”. Every verb is born in its infinitive beauty self-contained and ready for use.
Read more...Nada de novidade!
using DEVER with verbs in the infinitive | the imperative mood
past participles of verbs | using PODER with verbs | SER in the infinitive
Just like any verb, you can use ser (to be) in it’s infinitive.
You can combine dever with any verb in the infinitive to express should/must. Like this:
expresssing “this” & “that”, “these” & “those” | olhar ➜ to look
contractions desse, dessa, dele, dela | using para | SER in the infinitive
using DEVER with verbs in the infinitive | using ESTAR with com | aparecer ➜ to appear, show up (preterit indicative) | machucar ➜ to hurt, injure
Mudar de ideia Brazilians are a flexible bunch. They love to set dates, appointments, meetings and decisions, often without much hesitation. But it’s all in a constant state of flux. You will discover that it’s partly just their nature to agree to things. It’s actually a very charming trait. But, it also causes a lot…
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