isso

Discourse Deixis with Isso

Level 3

In Portuguese, isso is the go-to word for 'that' when you want to refer back to something just said. It acts as a conceptual bridge, summarizing an entire thought or action without needing to repeat it.

How It Works

The pronoun isso is a powerful tool for discourse cohesion. Here is how it works:

  • Anaphoric Reference: This is the technical term for 'pointing backward.' When someone says something and you respond with 'Isso é verdade' (That is true), the word isso represents their entire previous statement.
  • Neutrality: Because it is neutral, you don't have to worry about gender agreement. Whether the previous topic involved masculine or feminine nouns, the concept remains isso.
  • Contractions: It frequently merges with prepositions. Use disso (de + isso) for 'about that' or 'of that,' and nisso (em + isso) for 'in that' or 'on that.' Note that disto/nisto and daquilo/naquilo are formed from isto and aquilo respectively.
  • Isso vs. Isto: In formal writing, isso refers to what was just said (past), while isto refers to what you are about to say (future). However, in casual Brazilian Portuguese, this distinction is often blurred, and isso is frequently used for both.

Examples (4)

  1. Ele decidiu viajar sozinho. Isso me preocupa um pouco.

    He decided to travel alone. That worries me a little.

    Word by Word: He decided to-travel alone. That me worries a little.

    Here, 'isso' refers to the entire situation of him traveling alone.

  2. — Acho que o preço vai subir. — Isso é muito provável.

    — I think the price will go up. — That is very likely.

    Word by Word: — I-think that the price goes to-rise. — That is very likely.

    In dialogue, 'isso' is used to agree with or comment on the other person's statement.

  3. Você disse que não viria. Eu já sabia disso.

    You said you wouldn't come. I already knew about that.

    Word by Word: You said that not would-come. I already knew of-that.

    The contraction 'disso' (de + isso) is used because the verb 'saber' often takes the preposition 'de' when referring to a fact.

  4. Não aguento mais esse barulho! Isso está me deixando louco.

    I can't stand this noise anymore! That is driving me crazy.

    Word by Word: Not I-endure more this noise! That is me leaving crazy.

    Even if the speaker is the one who mentioned the noise, 'isso' is used to refer back to the situation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'isto' to refer to something already mentioned.

    Ele mentiu para mim. Isto foi muito chato.
    Ele mentiu para mim. Isso foi muito chato.

    In natural speech, 'isto' is usually reserved for things you are about to introduce. Since the lie was already mentioned, 'isso' is the correct choice.

  • Using 'isso' as a determiner before a noun.

    Eu não gosto de isso livro.
    Eu não gosto desse livro.

    'Isso' is a pronoun (stands alone). If you have a noun like 'livro', you must use the demonstrative adjective 'esse' (or the contraction 'desse').

  • Trying to make 'isso' feminine.

    A festa acabou. Issa foi uma pena.
    A festa acabou. Isso foi uma pena.

    Even if the noun (festa) is feminine, when you refer to the 'fact' that the party ended, you must use the neutral 'isso'. There is no word 'issa'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

issoLevel 3Discourse Deixis with Isso

Learn This First

To use 'isso' for discourse deixis, you first need to understand the neuter demonstrative pronouns and how 'esse/isso' functions in discourse to point backward to previously mentioned information.

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isso