Master the Verb Dar with 10 Portuguese Idioms
Forget about translating every word literally! Portuguese is full of idiomatic gems, and the verb “dar” (to give) might just be the king of them all. It…
The Portuguese Verb Ficar – Conjugation and Usage
Ficar is a high-frequency and versatile Portuguese verb that every language learner should master as soon as possible. Depending on the context, Ficar may mean ‘stay’, ‘get’,…
Portuguese Preposition ‘De’
The Portuguese preposition de is a preposition of origin and the Portuguese equivalent of from in English. Additionally, we use de to indicate possession, modify a noun,…
Portuguese Spelling Reform
In 1990, various Portuguese-speaking countries agreed on a spelling reform to create and maintain a cohesive, international standard across borders. In Portugal, in particular, the spelling reform came…
Falar vs. Dizer vs. Contar in Portuguese
Portuguese language learners often wonder about the difference between the verbs Falar, Dizer, and Contar. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, certain contexts will call for…
Portuguese Perfect vs. Imperfect Tense: Know When to Use Either
The Portuguese Perfect and Imperfect past tenses (aka Pretérito Perfeito and Pretérito Imperfeito in Portuguese) are often a headache for language learners whose native tongue doesn’t make…
Conditional in Portuguese
In Portuguese, we use the Conditional tense to express desire, talk about unreal scenarios, or convey politeness. As you’ll soon see, however, the Imperfect tense (Pretérito Imperfeito)…
Portuguese Present Tense – Usage Rundown Anchored to English
This article concerns Portuguese equivalents to the English Present Simple, Present Continuous, and Present Perfect tenses. We will be mostly focusing on usage, not conjugation. To learn…
Portuguese Vocab for Foodies: Dining Out in Portugal
Portugal is a haven for foodies! From the freshest seafood to hearty stews and delicious desserts, Portuguese cuisine will tantalize your taste buds. Let’s master a few…
“Como” in Portuguese – More Than Just a Question Word
The Portuguese word Como is way more than just a question word. In fact, I can think of 4 other ways of using Como! Let’s take a…
Portuguese Irregular Verbs Students Need to Learn as Soon as Possible
Have you noticed that some of the most frequently used verbs in Portuguese happen to be irregular? These verbs are not only high-frequency but they also tend…
Portuguese-English Cognates: Boost Your Portuguese Vocab Overnight
Here you are, learning a new language and probably assuming you are starting from ground zero. What if that’s not the case at all? What if you…
Portuguese Gerund: Progressive Tenses and Beyond
The Portuguese Gerund (Gerúndio) is used to build Progressive tenses (such as the Present Continuous) and is the equivalent of the English Present Participle: the -ing verb…
20 Portuguese Idioms and Expressions to Impress Locals
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal or simply looking to connect with Portuguese speakers, incorporating idioms and colloquial expressions into your conversations can make a significant…
Portuguese Verb Tenses and Moods Explained: A Usage Rundown Anchored to English
With so many conjugations, Portuguese verbs are a hard-to-chew bit for anyone learning the language, especially for those not acquainted with any Romance language from before. Now,…
Portuguese Polite Expressions – Desculpa vs. Com licença vs. Por Favor
At the beginning of their learning journey, many Portuguese language learners struggle to discern between expressions such as Desculpa, Com licença, or Por favor, namely, when to…
Portuguese Verbs “Ir” vs. “Andar” – Know When to Use Either
I’ve noticed that Portuguese language learners often use the verb Andar when they want to say Ir, and vice-versa. This happens almost without exception in a context…
Portuguese Prepositions and Contractions
In general, prepositions have an infamous reputation among language learners. Judging by all the whining and moaning I’ve heard from students throughout the years, Portuguese prepositions are…