nele/nela/neles/nelas
Contraction Nele
Nele = em (in/on) + ele (him/it)
Nela = em (in/on) + ela (her/it)
Neles/Nelas = plural forms (them).
How It Works
The contraction nele (and its variations) is used whenever a verb, noun, or adjective requires the preposition em followed by a third-person pronoun. These are tonic forms, meaning they are stressed and follow prepositions.
1. Formation:
The preposition em loses its vowel and becomes a simple n- prefix before the pronoun:
- em + ele = nele
- em + ela = nela
- em + eles = neles
- em + elas = nelas
2. Usage for 'It':
Since Portuguese doesn't have a neutral word for 'it', you use nele for masculine objects (like o carro) and nela for feminine objects (like a caixa).
3. Meaning and Common Verbs:
The preposition em can mean 'in', 'on', or 'at' depending on the context. This contraction is frequently used with verbs like confiar em (to trust in), pensar em (to think about), and tocar em (to touch [on]).
4. Register and Exceptions:
This is the standard form used in all levels of formality. While mandatory in most cases, you should keep the words separate if the pronoun acts as the subject of a following verb in the infinitive or gerund (e.g., 'Em ele chegando, avise-me' or 'Acredito em ele ser honesto').
Examples (4)
- Eu confio nele.
I trust him.
Word by Word: I trust in-him.
The verb 'confiar' requires the preposition 'em'. When followed by 'ele', they contract to 'nele'.
- A chave está na gaveta? Sim, eu procurei nela.
Is the key in the drawer? Yes, I looked in it.
Word by Word: The key is in-the drawer? Yes, I searched in-it.
'Gaveta' is feminine, so we use 'nela' to refer back to it.
- Eles estão pensando nelas.
They are thinking about them (feminine).
Word by Word: They are thinking in-them.
The verb 'pensar' uses 'em' in Portuguese. 'Nelas' refers to a group of females or feminine objects.
- O livro é bom; eu acredito nele.
The book is good; I believe in it.
Word by Word: The book is good; I believe in-it.
'Livro' is masculine, so 'nele' is used to mean 'in it'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'em ele' or 'em ela' when the pronoun is a simple object.
Eu acredito em ele.Eu acredito nele.In standard object-of-preposition contexts, these contractions are mandatory. However, keep them separate if the pronoun is the subject of an infinitive, such as 'O fato de eu acreditar em ele ser capaz' (The fact that I believe in him being capable).
Confusing 'nele' (in him) with 'dele' (his/of him).
O carro está dele.O carro está nele.'Dele' indicates possession or origin (de + ele), while 'nele' indicates location or the object of 'em' (em + ele).
Attempting to contract 'em' with 'você'.
Eu confio nêce.Eu confio em você.While 'você' is grammatically third-person, it does NOT contract with 'em'. You must keep them separate.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'nele', 'nela', 'neles', and 'nelas', you must first be familiar with the third-person subject pronouns (ele/ela/eles/elas) and the preposition 'em' (in/on/at), as these words are fused together to form the contraction.
- eu/tu/você/ele/elaSubject Pronouns (Singular)
The contraction uses the third-person singular subject pronouns 'ele' and 'ela' as its base.
Foundations - nós/eles/elas/vocêsSubject Pronouns (Plural)
The contraction uses the third-person plural subject pronouns 'eles' and 'elas' as its base.
Foundations - a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
The contraction is formed using the preposition 'em', so understanding its basic meaning is essential.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- dele/dela/deles/delasClarifying Seu/Sua with De
These are the equivalent contractions using the preposition 'de' instead of 'em'.
Level 2 - em + o = noContraction No
This shows how 'em' contracts with definite articles, following a similar 'n-' prefix pattern.
Level 1 - em + este/esse/aquele = neste/nesse/naqueleContraction with Demonstratives (Em)
Demonstrates how 'em' contracts with demonstrative pronouns using the same logic.
Level 2 - num/numa/nuns/numasContraction Num
Shows the 'n-' prefix pattern applied to indefinite articles.
Level 2 - nisto/nisso/naquiloContraction with Neuter Demonstratives (Em)
Shows the 'n-' prefix pattern applied to neuter demonstrative pronouns.
Level 2 - mim/tiPrepositional Pronouns
Explains how first and second person pronouns behave after prepositions (they do not contract with 'em').
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice nele/nela/neles/nelas in Bubblegum
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