de + uma = duma

Contraction Duma

Level 2

de + uma = duma
de + umas = dumas

How It Works

In Portuguese, prepositions often merge with the words that follow them. Duma is the result of the preposition de (of/from/about) merging with the feminine indefinite article uma (a/an).

Key Characteristics:

  • Optionality: Unlike da (de + a), which you must use, you can choose between de uma and duma. De uma sounds slightly more formal or emphatic, while duma sounds more fluid and natural.
  • Regional Differences: In Portugal (PT-PT), duma is standard in both speech and writing. In Brazil (PT-BR), it is extremely common in speech but often avoided in formal writing (like academic papers) in favor of de uma.
  • Plural Form: It also exists in the plural form: dumas (de + umas), meaning 'of some' or 'from some'.

When NOT to contract:
You should avoid the contraction if the word uma is the subject of an infinitive verb. For example: O fato de uma criança aprender... (The fact of a child learning...). In this case, duma would be considered grammatically incorrect.

Examples (4)

  1. Ela é duma cidade pequena.

    She is from a small town.

    Word by Word: She is from-a city small.

    Here, 'duma' combines 'de' (from) and 'uma' (a) to indicate origin.

  2. Preciso duma ajudinha agora.

    I need a little help now.

    Word by Word: I-need of-a little-help now.

    The verb 'precisar' (to need) requires the preposition 'de', which naturally contracts with 'uma'.

  3. Gosto dumas músicas brasileiras.

    I like some Brazilian songs.

    Word by Word: I-like of-some songs Brazilian.

    This shows the plural form 'dumas' (de + umas).

  4. Ele falou duma ideia nova.

    He spoke about a new idea.

    Word by Word: He spoke of-a idea new.

    In this context, 'de' means 'about', and it contracts with 'uma'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'duma' (of a) with 'numa' (in a).

    Eu moro duma casa azul.
    Eu moro numa casa azul.

    Use numa for location (in/on) and duma for origin or possession (of/from).

  • Thinking 'duma' is incorrect or 'slang'.

    Duma is always wrong in writing.
    Duma is correct but informal in Brazil.

    Duma is a legitimate grammatical contraction. While Brazilians prefer de uma in formal documents, duma is perfectly fine in literature and daily life.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

de + uma = dumaLevel 2Contraction Duma

Learn This First

To understand the contraction 'duma', you must first be familiar with its two components: the preposition 'de' (of/from) and the feminine indefinite article 'uma' (a/an). It is also helpful to have seen the masculine equivalent 'dum' to recognize the pattern of dropping the 'e' in 'de' when combining with indefinite articles.

Words in This Pattern

duma