a + o = ao

Contraction Ao

Level 1

a + o = ao

How It Works

The contraction ao is a standard feature of Portuguese grammar. It is used whenever a verb or expression requires the preposition a followed by a masculine noun.

1. The Forms:

  • a + o = ao (to the / at the - singular)
  • a + os = aos (to the / at the - plural)

2. When to use it:
It is used for movement (Vou ao mercado), indirect objects (Dou um presente ao menino), and time (Ao meio-dia). It is also used with plural days of the week to show habits (Aos domingos - On Sundays).

3. Special Construction:
You will often see ao + infinitive (e.g., Ao entrar). This means "upon" or "when" an action happens.

4. Register and Usage:
While ao is mandatory in formal writing, casual Brazilian Portuguese often substitutes the preposition a with no or pro for destinations. However, becoming proficient in ao is essential for clear communication.

5. Phonetics:
Unlike the feminine à, ao is a diphthong pronounced similarly to the 'ow' in 'now'.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu vou ao banco agora.

    I am going to the bank now.

    Word by Word: I go to-the bank now.

    The verb 'ir' (to go) requires the preposition 'a', which merges with 'o banco'.

  2. O almoço é ao meio-dia.

    Lunch is at noon.

    Word by Word: The lunch is at-the middle-day.

    We use 'ao' to indicate a specific time with masculine nouns like 'meio-dia'.

  3. Ele entregou o livro ao professor.

    He handed the book to the teacher.

    Word by Word: He delivered the book to-the teacher.

    Here, 'ao' marks the indirect object (the person receiving the book).

  4. Nós vamos aos sábados.

    We go on Saturdays.

    Word by Word: We go to-the Saturdays.

    The plural form 'aos' is used here to indicate a recurring time or habit on Saturdays.

  5. Ao chegar, ele ligou a luz.

    Upon arriving, he turned on the light.

    Word by Word: To-the to-arrive, he turned-on the light.

    The construction 'ao + infinitive' is used to mean 'upon' or 'when' doing something.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving the words uncontracted.

    Vou a o mercado.
    Vou ao mercado.

    In Portuguese, you cannot keep 'a' and 'o' separate. The contraction is mandatory.

  • Using 'ao' with feminine nouns.

    Vou ao farmácia.
    Vou à farmácia.

    Since 'farmácia' is feminine, you must use the feminine contraction 'à' instead of the masculine 'ao'.

How It Connects

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a + o = aoLevel 1Contraction Ao

Learn This First

To understand the contraction 'ao', a learner must first be familiar with its two component parts: the preposition 'a' (to/at) and the masculine definite article 'o' (the).

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