pelo/pela/pelos/pelas
Contraction Pelo
Pelo, pela, pelos, and pelas are the required forms when the preposition por meets a definite article like 'the'. They are used to express movement through a place, the agent of a passive action, or a cause.
How It Works
The contraction pelo is not optional; using 'por o' is considered a grammatical error in modern Portuguese. This pattern serves several vital functions:
1. Movement/Path: Used to describe traveling through or along a space.
Ex: Caminhamos pela rua. (We walk through/along the street).
2. Passive Voice: Identifies who performed an action in a passive sentence.
Ex: O bolo foi feito pelo chefe. (The cake was made by the chef).
3. Cause or Reason: Explains why something is done.
Ex: Ele luta pelas crianças. (He fights for the children).
4. Means or Method: Indicates the channel of communication or transport.
Ex: Recebi a notícia pelo rádio. (I received the news via the radio).
Note on Homographs: Be aware that pelo (without an accent) also means 'hair' or 'fur' as a noun, and is the first-person conjugation of the verb pelar (to peel). Context will always clarify which one is being used.
Examples (5)
- Eu passo pelo parque todos os dias.
I pass through the park every day.
Word by Word: I pass through-the park all the days.
Here, 'pelo' (por + o) indicates movement through a masculine singular noun (parque).
- A carta foi enviada pela diretora.
The letter was sent by the director.
Word by Word: The letter was sent by-the director.
In this passive construction, 'pela' (por + a) identifies the agent of the action.
- Nós olhamos pelas janelas do trem.
We look through the train windows.
Word by Word: We look through-the windows of-the train.
Using 'pelas' (por + as) because 'janelas' is feminine plural.
- Obrigado pelos presentes!
Thank you for the gifts!
Word by Word: Thank-you for-the gifts!
The verb 'agradecer' or the expression 'obrigado' often triggers 'por', which contracts here into 'pelos'.
- Ela viajou pelos Estados Unidos.
She traveled through the United States.
Word by Word: She traveled through-the States United.
Movement through a plural masculine location.
Common Mistakes
Using 'por o' or 'por a' instead of the contraction.
Eu caminhei por a praia.Eu caminhei pela praia.Unlike Spanish, where 'por el' is two words, Portuguese requires the contraction 'pela' in all registers.
Confusing 'pelo' (through/by) with 'pro' (to/for).
Eu vou pelo médico.Eu vou pro médico.Learners often confuse 'por' and 'para'. 'Pelo' implies a path or agent, while 'pro' (para + o) implies a destination or purpose.
Attempting to contract 'por' with indefinite articles.
Eu passei pelum túnel.Eu passei por um túnel.The preposition 'por' only contracts with definite articles (o/a). It remains separate when followed by indefinite articles (um/uma).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the contractions pelo, pela, pelos, and pelas, you must first be familiar with the preposition 'por' and how definite articles (o, a, os, as) function in Portuguese. These contractions are the result of combining these two elements, following specific gender and number agreement rules.
Related Patterns
- o/a/os/asDefinite Articles
These are the definite articles that merge with 'por' to form pelo/pela.
Foundations - de + o = doContraction Do
Another mandatory contraction involving a common preposition and definite articles.
Level 1 - em + o = noContraction No
A similar mandatory contraction for the preposition 'em'.
Level 1 - Passive + por + AgentPassive Agent with Por
Explains how 'pelo' is used to mark the person performing the action in passive sentences.
Level 4 - pra/proInformal Contraction Pra/Pro
Often confused with 'pelo', this contraction indicates destination rather than path.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice pelo/pela/pelos/pelas in Bubblegum
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