a/de/em/com/para/por
Basic Prepositions
Prepositions are the 'glue' of Portuguese. They connect ideas by showing how things relate in space, time, or purpose. The six most common are: a, de, em, com, para, and por.
How It Works
Portuguese prepositions are essential for expressing basic ideas. Here is the conceptual breakdown of the 'Big Six':
- a (to/at): Used for movement toward a place (usually temporary) or a specific point in time.
- de (of/from): Shows origin, possession, or what something is made of.
- em (in/on/at): Indicates a static location in space or time.
- com (with): Shows accompaniment or the tool used to do something.
- para (for/to): Indicates a final destination, a purpose, or a recipient.
- por (by/through/for): Indicates a route, a cause, or a duration of time.
The 'Fusion' Rule:
Unlike English, where we say 'of the' or 'in the', Portuguese must combine these. For example, de + o becomes do and em + a becomes na. These are not optional!
Direction vs. Duration:
A common challenge is choosing between por and para. Think of para as looking forward (destination/goal) and por as looking at the path or the reason (through/because of).
Examples (4)
- Eu gosto do café com leite.
I like coffee with milk.
Word by Word: I like of-the coffee with milk.
Shows 'de' (possession/origin) contracting into 'do', and 'com' showing accompaniment.
- Vou ao mercado para comprar pão.
I'm going to the market to buy bread.
Word by Word: I-go to-the market for to-buy bread.
Shows 'a' for movement/destination and 'para' for purpose.
- Ela viajou pela Europa por duas semanas.
She traveled through Europe for two weeks.
Word by Word: She traveled through-the Europe for two weeks.
Shows 'por' used for both a route (pela) and a duration of time.
- O livro está na mesa.
The book is on the table.
Word by Word: The book is in-the table.
Shows 'em' (location) contracting with 'a' (the) to become 'na'.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to use mandatory contractions.
Eu gosto de o café.Eu gosto do café.In Portuguese, you cannot keep 'de' and 'o' separate. They must fuse into 'do'.
Using 'com mim' instead of the special fused form.
Ele vem com mim.Ele vem comigo.The preposition 'com' has unique forms with pronouns. 'With me' is always 'comigo'.
Using 'para' for duration of time.
Estudei para duas horas.Estudei por duas horas.English uses 'for' for both purpose and duration, but Portuguese uses 'por' for duration.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- de + o = doContraction Do
One of the most common contractions involving the preposition 'de'.
Level 1 - em + a = naContraction Na
The standard way to say 'in the' or 'on the' using the preposition 'em'.
Level 1 - por / paraPor vs. Para Basics
A deeper dive into the tricky distinction between these two 'for' prepositions.
Level 2 - comigo/contigo/consigo/conosco/convoscoPronoun-Preposition Fusions with Com
Special forms where 'com' fuses with personal pronouns.
Level 1 - ir + a/para + DestinationIr with Destination
Explains how to choose between 'a' and 'para' when moving toward a place.
Level 2 - pra/proInformal Contraction Pra/Pro
The common spoken shortcuts for 'para' used in daily life.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- a + o = aoContraction AoLevel 1
- em + o = noContraction NoLevel 1
- em + um = numContraction NumLevel 1
- estar + LocationEstar for LocationLevel 1
- me/te/lhe/nos/vos/lhesIndirect Object PronounsLevel 1
- por + o/a/os/as = pelo/pela/pelos/pelasContraction Pelo/PelaLevel 1
- acabar de + InfinitiveJust DidLevel 2
- começar a + InfinitiveStart DoingLevel 2
And 10 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice a/de/em/com/para/por in Bubblegum
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