em + os/as = nos/nas
Contraction Nos/Nas
em + os = nos
em + as = nas
How It Works
The contraction nos and nas is the plural version of no and na.
It serves three primary functions:
- Location: Indicating where something is (e.g., nas gavetas - in the drawers).
- Time: Indicating when something happens (e.g., nos fins de semana - on the weekends).
- State: Indicating a condition or situation (e.g., nas férias - on vacation).
Static vs. Movement: A key rule to become confident with is that nos/nas is used for static location (where you are). If you are talking about movement or destination (where you are going), you must use a or para instead. For example: Estou nas lojas (I am in the stores) vs. Vou para as lojas (I am going to the stores).
Note on Pronunciation: Do not confuse nos (the contraction) with nós (the pronoun for 'we'). The contraction has a short, closed 'u' sound (/nus/), while the pronoun has an open 'o' sound (/nɔs/) and always carries an accent mark. Note that the object pronoun nos (meaning 'us') is pronounced exactly like the contraction nos (/nus/).
Examples (4)
- As crianças brincam nos parques.
The children play in the parks.
Word by Word: The children play in-the parks.
Here, 'em' + 'os' becomes 'nos' because 'parques' is a masculine plural noun.
- Eu deixei as chaves nas gavetas.
I left the keys in the drawers.
Word by Word: I left the keys in-the drawers.
Here, 'em' + 'as' becomes 'nas' because 'gavetas' is a feminine plural noun.
- Nós viajamos muito nos últimos anos.
We traveled a lot in the last years.
Word by Word: We traveled much in-the last years.
This shows 'nos' used in a temporal context (time).
- Eles estão nas ruas agora.
They are on the streets now.
Word by Word: They are in-the streets now.
In this context, 'nas' translates to 'on the' rather than 'in the'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'em os' or 'em as' separately.
Eu moro em os Estados Unidos.Eu moro nos Estados Unidos.Contractions with definite articles are mandatory in Portuguese. Leaving them separate sounds very unnatural.
Confusing 'nos' (in the) with 'nós' (we).
Nos vamos ao cinema.Nós vamos ao cinema.The pronoun 'nós' (we) always requires an acute accent. Without the accent, 'nos' is either this contraction or an object pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the contractions 'nos' and 'nas', you need to be familiar with the preposition 'em' and the plural definite articles 'os' and 'as'. It is also helpful to have already learned the singular contractions 'no' and 'na' to see the consistent pattern of how 'em' combines with articles.
Related Patterns
- em + a = naContraction Na
This is the feminine singular version of the same contraction.
Level 1 - de + os/as = dos/dasContraction Dos/Das
Another common plural contraction using the preposition 'de' instead of 'em'.
Level 1 - em + um = numContraction Num
The preposition 'em' also contracts with indefinite articles to form 'num', 'numa', 'nuns', and 'numas'.
Level 1 - em + este/esse/aquele = neste/nesse/naqueleContraction with Demonstratives (Em)
The preposition 'em' also forms mandatory contractions with demonstrative adjectives.
Level 2 - me/te/o/a/nos/vos/os/asDirect Object Pronouns
The object pronoun 'nos' (us) is spelled and pronounced identically to the contraction 'nos' (in the).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice em + os/as = nos/nas in Bubblegum
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