de + o = do
Contraction Do
de (of/from) + o (the) = do
How It Works
The contraction do is one of the most frequent words in Portuguese. It serves several vital functions:
- Possession: To show who something belongs to (e.g., 'the boy's book' becomes 'o livro do menino').
- Origin: To say where someone or something is from (e.g., 'Eu sou do Brasil').
- Verb Requirement: Many common verbs like gostar (to like) or precisar (to need) require the preposition de. If the object is masculine and specific, you must use do.
Pronunciation: It is pronounced like 'doo' /du/.
Important Note: While usually mandatory, you do not contract if the 'o' is the subject of a following verb in the infinitive (e.g., 'Apesar de o sol estar forte...'). However, for Level 1, focusing on the mandatory contraction in simple sentences is the priority.
Examples (4)
- Eu gosto do filme.
I like the movie.
Word by Word: I like of-the movie.
The verb 'gostar' requires 'de'. Since 'filme' is masculine singular, 'de' + 'o' becomes 'do'.
- Onde está a chave do carro?
Where is the car key?
Word by Word: Where is the key of-the car?
Shows possession/relationship between the key and the car.
- Ele é do Brasil.
He is from Brazil.
Word by Word: He is from-the Brazil.
Brazil is a country that requires the masculine article 'o', so 'de' contracts to 'do'.
- O nome do professor é João.
The teacher's name is João.
Word by Word: The name of-the teacher is João.
Used here to indicate a relationship/possession regarding the teacher.
Common Mistakes
Failing to contract 'de' and 'o'.
O livro de o menino.O livro do menino.In Portuguese, you cannot keep 'de' and 'o' separate. They must always merge into 'do' when used together.
Using 'do' for countries that don't take an article.
Eu sou do Portugal.Eu sou de Portugal.Not all locations use an article. Portugal is one of them, so you use the simple preposition 'de' instead of the contraction 'do'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the contraction 'do', you first need to be familiar with its two components: the preposition 'de' (of/from) and the masculine definite article 'o' (the). Additionally, understanding noun gender markers helps you identify when a masculine article is required.
- a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
The contraction 'do' is formed using the preposition 'de', so understanding the base preposition is essential.
Foundations - o/a/os/asDefinite Articles
The contraction 'do' is formed by combining 'de' with the masculine definite article 'o'.
Foundations - -o/-aNoun Gender Markers
Knowing that 'o' is the masculine article used with masculine nouns is necessary to understand when to use the contraction 'do' versus 'da'.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- de + a = daContraction Da
The feminine equivalent of 'do' (de + a).
Level 1 - de + os/as = dos/dasContraction Dos/Das
The plural versions of these contractions.
Level 1 - em + o = noContraction No
Another common contraction using the preposition 'em' (in/on) instead of 'de'.
Level 1 - de + um = dumContraction Dum
The contraction of 'de' with the indefinite article 'um' (a/an).
Level 2 - de + NounPossession with De
The basic rule for showing possession using the preposition 'de'.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- gostar de + Noun/InfinitiveGostar DeLevel 1
- mais + Adjective + do queComparative of SuperiorityLevel 1
- menos + Adjective + do queComparative of InferiorityLevel 1
- daquele/daquela/daqueles/daquelasContraction DaqueleLevel 2
- dele/dela/deles/delasClarifying Seu/Sua with DeLevel 2
- desse/dessa/desses/dessasContraction DesseLevel 2
- deste/desta/destes/destasContraction DesteLevel 2
- disto/disso/daquiloContraction with Neuter Demonstratives (De)Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice de + o = do in Bubblegum
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