neste/nesta/nestes/nestas

Contraction Neste

Level 2

Neste = em (in/on/at) + este (this). It is used to describe something physically close to the speaker or the current time period.

How It Works

The contraction neste is a fundamental part of Portuguese grammar used to indicate location, time, or textual reference relative to the speaker.

1. Formation:
The preposition em loses its vowel and becomes a simple n- prefix:

  • em + este = neste (in this - masculine)
  • em + esta = nesta (in this - feminine)
  • em + estes = nestes (in these - masculine)
  • em + estas = nestas (in these - feminine)
  • em + isto = nisto (in this - neuter/abstract)

2. Physical and Temporal Usage:
It is used for things physically near the speaker (first-person deixis). For example, if you are holding a book, you say you saw something neste livro. It is also the standard way to refer to the current time (e.g., neste ano - in this year).

3. Textual Reference (Cataphora):
In formal writing, neste/nesta is used to introduce information that is about to be mentioned (cataphoric reference). For example: "O problema é neste ponto: a falta de verba." (The problem is in this point: the lack of funds). In contrast, nesse is used to refer back to something already mentioned.

4. Regional Differences:
In European Portuguese, the distinction between neste (near me) and nesse (near you) is strictly followed. In Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often use nesse for both in casual speech, but neste remains the correct form for formal writing and exams when referring to the speaker's immediate context or upcoming information.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu moro nesta rua.

    I live on this street.

    Word by Word: I live in-this street.

    Uses 'nesta' because 'rua' is a feminine singular noun.

  2. Neste momento, não posso falar.

    At this moment, I cannot talk.

    Word by Word: In-this moment, not I-can to-talk.

    Uses 'neste' to refer to the current time (the moment the speaker is in).

  3. O que tem nestas caixas?

    What is in these boxes?

    Word by Word: The what has in-these boxes?

    Uses 'nestas' to agree with the feminine plural noun 'caixas'.

  4. O foco da pesquisa está nesta ideia: a sustentabilidade.

    The focus of the research is on this idea: sustainability.

    Word by Word: The focus of-the research is in-this idea: the sustainability.

    This is a cataphoric use; 'nesta' introduces an idea that will be explained immediately after.

  5. Eu não vi nada nisto.

    I didn't see anything in this.

    Word by Word: I not saw nothing in-this.

    Uses 'nisto' (neuter) because it refers to an abstract situation or an unidentified object.

Common Mistakes

  • Failing to contract the preposition and the demonstrative.

    Eu trabalho em esta empresa.
    Eu trabalho nesta empresa.

    In Portuguese, the contraction of 'em' with demonstratives is mandatory. Saying 'em esta' sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect.

  • Confusing 'nesta' (in this) with 'na' (in the).

    Eu moro na casa (when pointing to a specific house near you).
    Eu moro nesta casa.

    'Na' is simply 'in the', while 'nesta' specifically means 'in THIS' (the one right here).

How It Connects

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neste/nesta/nestes/nestasLevel 2Contraction Neste

Learn This First

To understand 'neste', a learner must first be familiar with the preposition 'em' (in/on/at) and the near demonstrative 'este' (this). Since 'neste' is a fusion of these two elements, knowing their individual meanings and how 'em' typically behaves in contractions is necessary for comprehension.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

nestenestanestesnestas