✬ 1.8 Prepositions “em” and “de”
In this grammar lesson, you’ll get a basic understanding of the prepositions “em” and “de”.
Video lesson
Recap
Em → This is a preposition of place. It contracts with articles:
| definite articles | o | a | os | as |
| contracted forms | no (em+o) | na (em+a) | nos (em+os) | nas (em+as) |
Depending on the situation, em can be used either in its plain form or contracted with the article. A few examples:
- Eu moro em Lisboa.
- Em que rua moras?
- Eu moro na Noruega.
- Ela está no café.
Note that we typically use the plain form when referring to countries and the contracted form when referring to cities (as exemplified above with Noruega and Lisboa). However, there are several exceptions. Here’re are two examples:
- Tu estás no Porto?
- Eu vivo em Portugal.
De → This is a preposition of origin. It also contracts with the articles:
| definite articles | o | a | os | as |
| contracted forms | do (de+o) | da (de+a) | dos (e+os) | das (de+as) |
Like em, de can be used in its plain form or contracted with the article according to the same principles:
- Eu sou de Lisboa.
- De onde és?
- Eu sou da Noruega.
Worth reading! Here’re a couple of reads to consolidate and go beyond this lesson: