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50 Most Common Verbs in Portuguese

The shortest path to being able to interact in your target language is to focus on high-frequency words first – that is, to prioritize words that are commonly used in day-to-day life. 

Here’s a list of 50 commonly used Portuguese verbs with simple usage examples.

To dive deeper into the crème de la crème of Portuguese high-frequency, idiomatically-rich verbs, take a look at my course Portuguese Verb Gems.

1ser
be
Eu sou teu amigo.
I am your friend.
2estar
be
Ela está doente. 
She’s sick.  

In Portuguese, there are two to be verbs. Learn more about it: Portuguese Verbs Ser vs. Estar: How and When to Use Either
3ter
have
Tens dinheiro?
Do you have any money?
4haver
there is/are
muita gente aqui. 
There’s a lot of people here.  

Learn more about haver: The Portuguese Verb “Haver” and All the Things You Say with It.
5ir
go
Vou a Lisboa. 
I am going to Lisbon  

Often, students mistake andar for ir (and vice versa): Portuguese Verbs “Ir” vs. “Andar” – Know When to Use Either.
6dar
give
Ela deu-lhe um presente. 
She gave her a present.  

There are countless Portuguese idioms with this verb: Portuguese Verb “Dar”: An Idiomatic Gem.
7fazer
make
Ontem fiz um bolo.
Yesterday, I made a cake.

More on fazer: The Portuguese Verb “Fazer” and All the Things You Say with It.
8ficar
stay
Ficaste em casa?
Did you stay at home?

Dive deeper into ficar‘s usage: Portuguese Verb “Ficar”: A Versatile Verb with Several Meanings.
9pôr
put
Põe o livro na tua mochila.
Put the book in your backpack.
10poder
can
Podes-me ajudar? 
Can you help me?  

Poder is a modal verb. Learn more about this and other Portuguese modals: Portuguese Modal Verbs Equivalent to Must, May, Could, Should, and the Like.
11conseguir
Manage (to do something)
Conseguiste falar com a Joana?
Did you manage to speak with Joana?

The difference between poder and conseguir is subtle. Learn more about it: Portuguese Verbs “Poder” vs. “Conseguir” – How to Tell One from the Other.
12dever
should
Ela deve chagar pelas 17h. 
She should arrive around 5 p.m.
13saber
know 
sabes da novidade?
Do you know the news already?
14conhecer
know (people, places)
Conheces a Paula?
Do you know Paula?
15querer
want
Ele quer um gelado.
He wants an ice cream.
16andar
walk
Eu gosto muito de andar.
I love to walk.
17chegar
arrive
O António já chegou ao Porto.
António has already arrived in Porto.
18vir
come
O Mariano vem do Brasil.
Mariano comes from Brazil.
19partir
leave (depart)
A que horas parte o comboio?
What time does the train leave?
20passar
pass
Podes passar-me o sumo?
Can you pass me the juice?
21parar
stop
Para de comer!
Stop eating!
22costumar
used to
Eu costumava correr todos os dias.
I used to run everyday.
23entrar
come in
Podes entrar!
Come in!
24sair
go out; leave
A Joana saiu do trabalho às 16h.
Joana left work at 4.p.m.
25começar
start
O filme começa às 21h.
The movie starts at 9 p.m.
26acabar
finish
Acabei de ler o livro.
I’ve finished the book.
27mudar
change
Nuncas mudas!
You never change!
28deixar
leave
Deixa-me em paz!
Leave me alone!
29pensar
think
Pensa duas vezes antes de tomar alguma decisão.
Think twice before you make any decision.
30achar
think
Acho que estás certo.
I think you are right.

Achar and pensar are often interchangeable. Watch this video to find out what their differences are.
31contar
tell; count
Conta-me uma história.
Tell me a story.

Watch this video to learn more about contar’s usage.
32falar
speak
Ele fala demais.
He speaks too much.
33ver
see; watch
Queres ver um filme?
Do you want to watch a movie?
34olhar
look
Olha para mim!
Look at me!
35ouvir
hear; listen
O Jorge ouve mal.
Jorge doesn’t hear very well.
36sentir-se
feel
Sentes-te bem?
Do you feel well?

The verb feel in Portuguese is reflexive. Learn more about Portuguese reflexive verbs: Portuguese Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns.
37cheirar
smell
Esta rosa cheira tão bem!
This rose smells so good!
38gostar
like
Eu gosto de neve.
I like snow.
39comer
eat
Ela come muito pouco.
She eats too little.
40beber
drink
Preciso de beber mais líquidos.
I need to drink more liquids.
41tomar
take
Queres tomar um duche?
Do you want to take a shower?
42lembrar-se
remember
Lembras-te de mim?
Do you remember me?
43viver
live;
Ela está a viver a vida que sonhou.
She’s living the life she dreamed about.
44morar
live in (places)
Ele mora no Porto.
He lives in Porto.
45usar
use
Eu uso muito o meu carro.
I use my car a lot.
46levar
take
Vou-te levar a Paris.
I’ll take you to Paris.
47trazer
bring
Podes trazer-me um livro?
Can you bring me a book?
48procurar
search; look
Estou à procura de emprego.
I am looking for a job.
49abrir
open
A que horas abre o café?
What time does the coffee shop open?
50fechar
close
A loja já fechou.
The store has already closed.

To dive deeper into the crème de la crème of Portuguese high-frequency, idiomatically-rich verbs, take a look at my course Portuguese Verb Gems.

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