Grammar questions

Re: "comigo" - Message sent by Keith on Aug 28, 2008

Q. I'm studying Brazilian Portuguese before going to Salvador in September. I've heard about regional differences in usage. So please help me: I understand that people don't usually use "comigo" in Salvador. If MY grammar says "Voce pode deixar o seu terno comigo" then how would you say the same thing WITHOUT using "comigo"? How about "conosco"? Keith

A. There is no other word for "comigo". Maybe you are confusing it with " conosco", which is usually replaced by "com a gente" in speech. You don't have to worry about regional accents/differences. In context, you will always understand what is meant. 

Re: obrigado/obrigada - Message sent by Paul on August 9, 2008

Q. I am Portuguese and speak it fluently but need help with the word obrigado/obrigada . Regards, Paul

A. A man always says obrigado and and a woman always says obrigada.

Re: faço & faça - Message sent by Martin on Mai 17, 2008

Q. Eu passei por os 5 testes, o pior resultado fui no teste 4, no qual só acertei 67%.  Eu tenho uma questão sobre os testes. Sobre a resposta no teste 4, pergunta 14, eu tenho quasi certeza que a resposta deve ser “faço” em vez de “faça”. Mas como Holandés eu posso estar errado. Gostaria de receber sua explicação. Um abraço da Holanda, Martin

A. A resposta correta é faça. O que o senhor quer que eu faça primeiro? O verbo “querer + que” exige o presente do subjuntivo. No meu livro de gramática e no meu curso em CD-ROM você encontra explicação detalhada sobre o uso do subjuntivo (tense for advanced students) e muitos exercíicios interativos. 

Re: tudo bem & tudo bom - Message sent by Richard on April 29, 2008

Q. Sou americano e eu gosto de aprender os idiomas como voce. O seu site e legal porque e bem util e nao custa nada. Muito obrigado por isso. Eu tenho uma pergunta tb. O que e a diferenca entre tudo bem e tudo bom? Entao, obrigado mais uma vez, Richard

A. As duas formas são usadas no dia-a-dia. "Tudo bem" (bem = well) é a forma correta correta. "Bem" (well) é advérbio e "bom" (good) é adjetivo. 

Re: "I", "You", "We" - Message sent by Ryan on April 26, 2008

Q. I have been leaning Portuguese for a few months. You have a wonderful site that has helped me greatly. I have one question about your "verb" page. As you conjugate the verbs for "falar, beber y assistir" I don't see it indicated anywhere what it means in English "I", "You", "We" . Is there a reason you chose not to? I just thought I'd point it out, in case it might have been over looked. Thanks again for helping me. Best, Ryan

A. You can find the subject pronouns under pronouns, subject pronouns. The verb section available on my website is not as detailed and complete as the verb section available my grammar book and CD-ROM course.   

Re: "tou" - Message sent by Mike (Milwaukee, WI, USA) on April 10, 2008

Q. Could you comment on a word: tou as in "tou sem relogio" I know it means something like "I don't have my watch" but I can't figure out the tou part. Is it a contraction? Obrigado, Mike

A. "tou" or "to" is the short form for "estou". It's frequently used in speech.

Re: preciso & tenho que - Message sent by Piet on March 16, 2008

Q. I wrote here in your example lesson that you translate eu preciso by I have to, but should'nt it be I need to? I have to is translated in portuguese by Eu tenho que or am I wrong? Kind regards, Piet

A. "preciso trabalhar" and "tenho que trabalhar" have the same meaning in this sentence and they are interchangeable.

Re: "you' forms of the verb conjugations" - Message sent by Andrew on Feb 9, 2008

Q. Thanks for the clear grammar, but I wanted to know why you are not including the 'you' forms of the verb conjugations. There appear to be only eu, ele, nos, and eles conjugations. Am i missing something? Andrew

A. The grammar section available on my website is only a brief introduction to my Portuguese Grammar book, which is illustrated and much more complete and detailed than the website. If you are learning Portuguese as a second language and need a complete, concise and practical reference, you can order my Portuguese Grammar book, which is ideal if used in conjunction with my Portuguese Course because it complements it. As for your question, I include the you (você/s) forms in the conjugation and they are the same as for "ele/s, ela/s." Take also a look at the Pronouns, Subject pronouns available on my website. Note: I don't include "tu" (rarely used in Brazil) and "vós" (old-fashioned) in my book and course. 

Re: "farão & fizer" - Message sent by Oscar (Angola) on Jan 28, 2008

Q. Hoje quando li o jornal de Angola, me encontrei uma palavra farão... procurei no dicionário e sabia que é forma de fut imperf de fazer, mas tambem vi mas uma forma desta palavra de fut imperf....são seguintes fazer- farei-farás-fará-faremos-fareis-farão, fizer-fizeres-fizer-fizermos-fizerdes-fizerem. Porque uma palavra tem duas formas de fut imperf....coloquei no livro de gramatica só consequi a segunda forma de mesma...mas a primeira parece está usada normalmente no jornal....então estou muito confusado por isso... seja muito grato se possa me explicar sobre isso... vosso Oscar

A. "Farão" (formal) = "vão fazer" (informal) é a forma do verbo fazer, conjugada no futuro do indicativo. "Fizer" é a forma do verbo fazer conjugada no futuro do subjuntivo. Você encontra explicação detalhada sobre o uso do futuro do indicativo e do subjuntivo no meu livro de gramática (página 120, 133 e 154) e no meu curso em CD-ROM (lição 10 e 42).

Re: "era, esteve, estava" - Message sent by Lady J on December 4, 2007

Q. I am having trouble understanding how and when to use the various forms of the the verb estar.  Specifically, the following words throw me off: era, esteve, estava. If I am reading a passage, I will understand what the word means, within its context. However, what is the proper usage of these forms?

A. Many people have trouble understanding the difference between "ser" and "estar" and when to use the right past tense. Only over time and with a lot a practice you can master the right use of these verbs.  Take a look again at lesson 1 (ser - presente), lesson 3 (estar - presente), lesson 17 (perfeito) and lesson 20 (imperfeito). Focus on the use of "ser" and "estar" when you read the past tenses (lesson 17 + 20). Take also a look at my grammar book, page 97 (23.12 + 23.13), 116, 117, 151 and 162. In my CD-ROM course you can find also an extra exercise, in which "ser" and "estar" are mixed up. Do this exercise after you have seen/read/understood all pages/lessons mentioned above. To find this exercise, click on Interactive exercises 1, More interactive exercises 4, on Verbs 4 and then ser and estar 6. Hier is a general rule for you to understand the use of "era, esteve, estava" "Era" is the past tense of "É" and "Estava" is the past tense of "Está". "Esteve" is not as frequenly used in Portuguese as in English. 

Re: Comparative/Superlative - Message sent by John on December 3, 2007

Q. How can I make a comparsion in Portuguese using the definite article without it turning into the superlative. For example, what's the difference in saying "He got the better deal" verses "He got the best deal." If I put "o" before "melhor," the meaning is changed from "better" to "best." Obrigado, John

A.The context and the rules for using the comparative and superlative are completely different, even if the word "melhor" (better/best) in your example is the same in Portuguese. You have to use the indefinite article instead of the definite article. Compare these sentences: "Ele tirou uma nota boa" versus "Ele tirou uma nota melhor do que eu" versus "Ele tirou a melhor nota da classe". You can find the comparative and superlative in my grammar book (page 58-62) and in my CD-ROM course (lesson 21). 

Re: Terminar/Acabar - Message sent by Lady J on November 29, 2007

Q. I am still enjoying the Portuguese course. I was going back through the interactive exercises and noticed that the word “terminei” was used to mean “finished”. What is the difference between terminei and acabei? Are the 2 words interchangeable?

A. Yes, both words "acabar" and "terminar" have the same meaning and are interchangeable. 

Re: Direct Object Pronouns - Message sent by Victor on August 23, 2007

Q. I also need help with Direct Object Pronouns. For example, this phrase in European Portuguese: Eu vi-a and in Brazilian Portuguese Eu vi ela. How would you say it in the infinitive form in Brazilian Portuguese? Is it Eu quero ve-la, eu quero a ver or eu quero ver ela?

A. The correct form is "Eu quero vê-la", but you may also hear "eu quero ver ela" in speech. 

Re:  Adjectives - Message sent by Andrew on June 1, 2007

Q. When you speak of a new car you say carro novo. Which in English would be a car new. And in other instances you put the noun after the adjective as we do in the Uk. Why is that? Also how do you pronounce Brazil? I am thoroughly enjoying looking at your website and look forward to learning your language. Obrigado, Andrew

A. Adjectives are usually placed after a noun. However, only certain adjectives are sometimes placed before a noun. You can find a more detailed explanation and examples in my Portuguese grammar book. L is pronounced like W (Brasiw). Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website.

Re: "bem/bom" - Message sent by Lady J on April 26, 2007

Q. When do you use “bem” and when do you use “bom”? Thanks Again… Lady J

A. "Bem" (well) is an adverb, it always follows a verb and it is invariable while "bom" (good) is an adjective, it always follows a noun and it is variable.

Re: "Eu estou, estou, sou" - Message sent by Maya on April 25, 2007

Q. I'm a bit confused about the use of these 3 words… basically I think it means “I am” (please correct me if im wrong). I'm just so confused about when to use it, like example: “Eu estou triste”, which means “Im sad”. But then another example is “Sou Brasileiro” which means “I'm Brazilian”. So I was just wondering if in daily use is it ok for me to use either of them or is there a certain rule to only use one at a certain time??? Maya

A. "Eu estou" = estou" and "sou" mean "I am". In Portuguese, both verbs "ser" (eu sou) and "estar" (eu estou) mean "to be". "Ser" is used for permanent or unchangeable situations like nationality, origin, profession, etc.  "Estar" is used for temporary or changeable situations, also for a state of being.

Re: “partir/sair/se embora” + "manhã- Message sent by Lady J on April 25, 2007

Q.  First, thank you so much for your website. I am enjoying it very much. I have been studying Portuguese for the last 5 months, in preparation for a trip to Brazil (Bahia e Rio, em Agosto). There are a couple of things that tend to confuse me and I was wondering if you could please help me? What is the difference between “partir”, “sair”, and “se embora”? I am trying to learn how to use them. So far, I know that you use sair when you are going on vacation and partir can be used to describe when a plane is leaving. However, I am not sure of the rest. When trying to say “The plane leaves in the morning at 6 AM”, I get a little confused about the uses of “manha” in the sentence. Thanks Again & Keep up the excellent work! Lady J

A. As for your questions, "sair"  (to go out, to leave) is frequently used when you are going on vacation, when you or a plane/bus is leaving, etc. "Ir embora" (to go away, to leave) is also frequently used in everyday conversations. "Ir se embora" is old-fashioned and rarely used nowadays. "Partir" (to leave) is formal and not frequently used. "Sair" is more common and frequently used instead of "partir". As for your second question, you can say: "O avião vai sair às 6 horas da manhā“

Re: "gente" - Message sent by Ryan on April 24, 2007

Q. I have just begun studying the portuguese language and have been listening to as much as possible, mostly brazilian portuguese, on sites such as youtube, or watching documentaries with subtitles. Correct me if I am wrong, but i have noticed "gente" used when referring to "we" in english, as opposed to "nós".  Am I correct on this? Any help would be appreciated, Ryan

A. "A gente" (we) is a colloquial form. It is frequently used in speech instead of "nós" (we).

Re: Possessive pronouns - Message sent by Thomas on April 12, 2007

Q. Is it common to use possessive pronouns in Portuguese? For example, would it be common for someone to say, "Hoje, eu estou usando minha camiseta vermelha." or is it more common to say "Eu estou usando uma camiseta verhelha." In English (at least here in central Ohio in the U.S.) we very often use the possessive in this way. Thanks, Thomas

A. It's more common to say "Eu estou usando uma camiseta vermelha."  or "Eu estou com uma camiseta vermelha". You don't have to say "my" unless you want to emphasize that the T-shirt is really yours and not someone's else. You can find a detailed explanation about the use of possessive pronouns in my CD-ROM course (lesson 8) and in my grammar book (page 73-74). 

Re: Difference between "fazer" and "fizer" - Message sent by Kalloe on April 3, 2007

Q. Could you explain the difference between "fazer" and "fizer"? I usually use "fazer", but heard in a song the verb "fizer". In what context is "fizer" preferred? Adiel 

A. "Fazer" is the infinitive form of the verb "to do, to make" and " fizer" is the verb "fazer" conjugated in the future subjunctive. Example: "O que você vai fazer amanhã? Se fizer sol, eu vou à praia."

Re: Change to root of the word in using a diminutive - Message sent by Tracy (USA) on April 2, 2007

Q. Great site! I have a question about using diminutives. I haven't seen an example of the one I'm having trouble with, so I'm sending you a message hoping you can help. My Brazilian ex-boyfriend gave me the apelido "vermelinha" to nicely say that my face was always red in the tropical Manaus heat. :) I never asked him how he spelled it, so is the way I spelled it correct, or should it be "vermelhinha" since the root word is vermelha? I never heard the lh- before the -inha when he said it, but maybe I wasn't listening closely enough. Muito obrigada, Tracy

A. It should be "vermelhinha" since the root word is "vermelha". The "lh" before the "-inha" should be pronounced. 

Re: "a" or "à - Message sent by Devin on March 31, 2007 

Q. When one says "to" as in "a" or "à", when do you use each? Por favor, Sonia! Ajude-me! =) Devin

A. "à" is used before female words.

Re: Expressing words of encouragement - Message sent by Henry on March 12, 2007

Q. How do you express in Portuguese words of encouragement usually beginning in English with "May...  Some examples are "May you have a long and happy life," and "May the best man win". Obrigado. Henry

A. Usually these sentences are preceded by a verb or the verb is implied. Example: "Eu desejo/Eu espero que você tenha uma vida longa e feliz"  (May you have a long and happy life), "Eu espero que a pessoa melhor/o jogador melhor ganhe" (May the best man win). 

Re: Indirect question - Message sent by Drystan on March  9, 2007

Q. Hello Sonia, Thank you so much for your wonderfully crafted Portuguese language site. It has been very helpful to me. I am wondering how Portuguese deals with indirect questions. If I wanted to say, "I wanted to ask how your work is going," how do you first signify that an indirect question has begun and then would fazer be put in the subjunctive ? I would love to hear how you would translate this sentence. Thanks so much for the help. Drystan, Vancouver, BC

A. Your sentence "I wanted to ask how your work is going"can be translated to "Eu queria perguntar/saber com está o seu trabalho". You don't need the subjunctive in this sentence. You can find a detailed explanation about the use of directed and reported speech and also about the subjunctive use in my CD-ROM course (lesson 48, 34-36, 38-40, 42-44) and in my grammar book (page 144, 104, 126-135).

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