em + este/esse/aquele = neste/nesse/naquele

Contraction with Demonstratives (Em)

Level 2

In Portuguese, when the preposition em (in, on, at) meets a demonstrative (this, that), they fuse into a single word. This is not optional; it is a mandatory grammatical rule.

How It Works

These contractions are used to indicate location in space, time, or within a conversation.

1. Spatial Use:

  • Neste/Nesta: Near the speaker (e.g., 'nesta sala' - in this room I am in).
  • Nesse/Nessa: Near the listener (e.g., 'nesse armário' - in that cupboard near you).
  • Naquele/Naquela: Far from both (e.g., 'naquele prédio' - in that building over there).

2. Temporal Use:

  • Neste: Current time (neste ano - this year).
  • Nesse: Near past or future.
  • Naquele: Distant past (naquele tempo - in those days).

3. Discourse Use:
In writing, neste refers to something about to be mentioned, while nesse refers to something already mentioned. In Brazilian Portuguese, nesse is often used as the general default in casual speech.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu moro neste prédio.

    I live in this building.

    Word by Word: I live in-this building.

    Uses 'neste' because the speaker is currently at or referring to the building they are in.

  2. O que tem nessa caixa aí?

    What is in that box there (by you)?

    Word by Word: The what has in-that box there?

    Uses 'nessa' because the box is near the person being spoken to.

  3. Nós fomos à praia naquele dia.

    We went to the beach on that day.

    Word by Word: We went to-the beach in-that day.

    Uses 'naquele' to refer to a specific, likely distant, day in the past.

  4. Não vejo nada nisto.

    I don't see anything in this.

    Word by Word: Not I-see nothing in-this-thing.

    Uses the neuter contraction 'nisto' (em + isto) to refer to an abstract concept or an unidentified object.

  5. Pensei muito nisso.

    I thought a lot about that.

    Word by Word: I-thought much in-that-thing.

    The verb 'pensar' often takes 'em'. When referring to a previously mentioned idea, 'em + isso' becomes 'nisso'.

Common Mistakes

  • Separating the preposition and the demonstrative.

    Eu trabalho em este escritório.
    Eu trabalho neste escritório.

    Unlike English where 'do not' and 'don't' are both acceptable, Portuguese contractions like 'neste' are mandatory. Writing 'em este' is a grammatical error.

  • Confusing 'nesta' with the definite article contraction 'na'.

    Eu moro nesta casa (when meaning 'the' house).
    Eu moro na casa.

    'Na' means 'in the', while 'nesta' means 'in this'. Use 'nesta' only when you want to specifically point out 'this' house among others.

  • Gender disagreement.

    Eu vi o livro neste mesa.
    Eu vi o livro nesta mesa.

    The contraction must agree with the gender of the noun. Since 'mesa' is feminine, you must use 'nesta' (em + esta).

How It Connects

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em + este/esse/aquele = neste/nesse/naqueleLevel 2Contraction with Demonstratives (Em)

Learn This First

To understand the contractions neste, nesse, and naquele, you first need to be familiar with the preposition 'em' and the demonstrative adjectives (este, esse, aquele). It is also helpful to understand the general pattern of how 'em' contracts with articles (no/na) to recognize the 'n-' prefix used in these demonstrative contractions.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

nestenessenaqueleaqueleaquele