mas/porém
But (Coordinating Contrast)
Both mas and porém express contrast. Mas is the universal word for 'but', while porém is a formal alternative meaning 'however'.
How It Works
In Portuguese, expressing contrast is primarily done through adversative conjunctions. Becoming proficient in the nuances between these two is key for moving from basic to intermediate fluency.
1. Mas (The Universal 'But')
This is the most common way to link two opposing ideas. It is used in every context, from casual speech to formal writing. Syntactically, it is a coordinating conjunction that must stay between the two clauses it connects.
- Example: Eu queria sair, mas está chovendo. (I wanted to go out, but it's raining.)
2. Porém (The Formal 'However')
Porém is more sophisticated. While it means the same thing, it is less frequent in daily casual speech and is much more common in literature, journalism, or business meetings. A key feature that distinguishes it from mas is its mobility; it can appear at the start, middle, or end of a clause. Note that other formal conjunctions like no entanto or contudo share this mobility.
- Initial: Estudei muito; porém, não passei.
- Medial: Estudei muito; não passei, porém, no exame.
3. Corrective Contrast: 'Mas sim'
A unique function of mas is its use in corrective contrast, often paired with sim. This occurs when you negate one idea to affirm another. Porém cannot be used this way.
- Example: Não é azul, mas sim verde. (It's not blue, but rather green.)
4. 'Porém' as a Noun
At this level, it is useful to know that porém can also function as a masculine noun meaning 'a catch', 'a drawback', or 'an obstacle'.
- Example: O plano é bom, mas tem um porém. (The plan is good, but there is a catch.)
5. Punctuation Rules
A comma is almost always required before mas. While a comma is usually not placed after it, one is required if an intercalated or parenthetical phrase follows (e.g., "Mas, na verdade, eu não sabia"). When using porém, if it is moved from the start of the clause, it must be enclosed in commas to show its parenthetical nature.
Examples (5)
- Eu gosto de café, mas prefiro chá.
I like coffee, but I prefer tea.
Word by Word: I like of coffee, but prefer tea.
A standard use of 'mas' to show a simple preference contrast in a neutral register.
- O carro é antigo, porém está em ótimo estado.
The car is old; however, it is in great condition.
Word by Word: The car is old, however is in great state.
Using 'porém' adds a slightly more formal or descriptive tone to the sentence.
- A situação é difícil. Apresenta, porém, algumas soluções.
The situation is difficult. It presents, however, some solutions.
Word by Word: The situation is difficult. Presents, however, some solutions.
This demonstrates the mobility of 'porém'. Notice how it is placed between the verb and the object, surrounded by commas.
- Eles prometeram vir, mas não apareceram.
They promised to come, but they didn't show up.
Word by Word: They promised to come, but not appeared.
A common everyday sentence using 'mas' to connect two actions.
- Mas que surpresa agradável!
But what a pleasant surprise!
Word by Word: But what surprise pleasant!
Here, 'mas' is used at the start of a sentence for emphasis, a common practice in modern Portuguese.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'mas' (but) with 'mais' (more).
Eu quero ir, mais não posso.Eu quero ir, mas não posso.This is a frequent spelling error. mas indicates contrast, while 'mais' indicates quantity. Remember: 'mais' has an 'i' for 'increase'.
Placing a comma after 'mas'.
Eu gosto de café. Mas, não gosto de chá.Eu gosto de café, mas não gosto de chá.English speakers often put a comma after 'But,', but in Portuguese, you should never place a comma immediately after mas unless a parenthetical phrase follows it.
Trying to move 'mas' to the middle or end of a sentence.
Estudei muito; não passei, mas.Estudei muito; não passei, porém.Unlike porém, mas is fixed. It must always sit between the two ideas it is contrasting.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'mas' and 'porém' effectively, a learner needs to understand how to construct basic independent clauses using standard verb conjugations. Since these are coordinating conjunctions, they connect two complete thoughts that express a contrast. Familiarity with the basic conjunction 'mas' provides the conceptual foundation for its more formal synonym 'porém'.
- e/ou/mas/porqueBasic Conjunctions
The pattern 'mas/porém' is an expansion of the basic coordinating conjunction 'mas' already introduced in the foundational conjunctions list.
Foundations - -o/-as/-a/-amos/-ais/-amPresent Tense -AR Verbs
Understanding basic sentence structure and verb conjugation is necessary to form the independent clauses that 'mas' and 'porém' connect.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- no entanto/contudo/todaviaHowever/Nevertheless
These are formal synonyms of 'porém' that also express contrast and share the same syntactic mobility.
Level 5 - embora + SubjunctiveEmbora (Although)
While 'mas' is a coordinating conjunction, 'embora' is a subordinating conjunction that also expresses contrast but requires the subjunctive mood.
Level 5 - por que/por quê/porque/porquêFour Ways to Write Por Que
Like the mas/mais confusion, 'porque' is another essential conjunction that learners often struggle to spell correctly.
Level 2 - portanto/por issoTherefore
These conjunctions express consequence rather than contrast, serving as the logical counterparts to 'mas'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice mas/porém in Bubblegum
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