naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas

Contraction Naquele

Level 2

Naquele = em (in/on/at) + aquele (that). It is used to describe locations or times that are far from both the speaker and the listener.

How It Works

The contraction naquele serves three primary purposes:

  • Physical Distance: It refers to something 'over there'—distant from both the speaker and listener (e.g., naquela montanha).
  • Temporal Distance: It refers to remote time, either in the distant past (naquele tempo) or a specific remote point in the future (naquele dia).
  • Abstract Reference: The neuter form naquilo is used when referring to a situation, a statement, or an unidentified object (e.g., 'I am thinking naquilo').

Morphology:
The 'e' in em is dropped, and the 'm' becomes an 'n' prefix:
• em + aquele(s) = naquele(s)
• em + aquela(s) = naquela(s)
• em + aquilo = naquilo

Examples (6)

  1. Eu morava <grammar expression="naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas">naquela</grammar> casa lá no fundo.

    I used to live in that house way in the back.

    Word by Word: I lived in-that house there in-the back.

    Uses 'naquela' because the house is physically distant ('lá no fundo').

  2. Eu não acredito <grammar expression="nisto/nisso/naquilo">naquilo</grammar>.

    I don't believe in that (thing/idea).

    Word by Word: I not believe in-that.

    Uses 'naquilo' (em + aquilo) to refer to an abstract concept or something not specifically named.

  3. <grammar expression="naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas">Naquele</grammar> dia, saberemos a verdade.

    On that day, we will know the truth.

    Word by Word: In-that day, we-will-know the truth.

    Uses 'naquele' to refer to a specific, remote day in the future.

  4. <grammar expression="naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas">Naquele</grammar> tempo, as pessoas não tinham telemóveis.

    In those times, people didn't have cell phones.

    Word by Word: In-that time, the people not had cell-phones.

    Uses 'naquele' to refer to a distant period in the past.

  5. Nós colocamos os livros <grammar expression="naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas">naqueles</grammar> armários altos.

    We put the books in those tall cabinets.

    Word by Word: We put the books in-those cabinets tall.

    The plural 'naqueles' agrees with the masculine plural noun 'armários'.

  6. Ela deixou a bolsa <grammar expression="naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelas">naquela</grammar> mesa ali.

    She left her purse on that table over there.

    Word by Word: She left the purse on-that table there.

    The contraction 'naquela' indicates the table is away from both the speaker and listener.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'em aquele' instead of the contraction.

    Eu vi o gato em aquele jardim.
    Eu vi o gato naquele jardim.

    In Portuguese, contractions between 'em' and demonstratives are mandatory. You must always merge them.

  • Confusing 'naquele' with 'nesse'.

    Naquele livro que você está segurando...
    Nesse livro que você está segurando...

    Use 'nesse' for things near the listener. Use 'naquele' only for things far from both people.

  • Gender disagreement.

    Eu estive naquele cidade ano passado.
    Eu estive naquela cidade ano passado.

    The contraction must agree with the noun. Since 'cidade' is feminine, you must use 'naquela'.

How It Connects

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naquele/naquela/naqueles/naquelasLevel 2Contraction Naquele

Learn This First

To understand 'naquele' and its variations, a learner must first know the demonstrative pronoun 'aquele' and the preposition 'em'. Since 'naquele' is a literal fusion of 'em + aquele', recognizing both components and the general behavior of 'em' in contractions is essential.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

naquelenaquelanaquelesnaquelas