ficar com + Noun
Ficar Com
The structure ficar com + noun is the standard way to say 'to keep' or 'to end up with' something in Portuguese. It implies a transition or a decision regarding possession.
How It Works
The verb ficar literally means 'to stay' or 'to remain.' When paired with the preposition com (with), it creates a versatile idiomatic expression:
- Possession: It is used when you decide to keep something or when an item is assigned to you. For example, 'Pode ficar com o troco' (You can keep the change).
- Sensations: It describes the onset of a state or emotion. Unlike estar com (which describes a current state), ficar com often implies you became that way. Example: 'Fiquei com medo' (I got scared).
- Temporary Possession: It can mean you are holding onto something for someone else.
- Romantic Context: In Brazil and increasingly in Portugal, it refers to casual dating or kissing someone without a serious commitment.
Note on Grammar: The preposition com does not contract with articles. You must say com o or com a, never 'co' or 'ca'.
Examples (4)
- Pode ficar com o livro, eu já li.
You can keep the book, I've already read it.
Word by Word: You can stay with the book, I already read.
Here, 'ficar com' is the standard way to say 'keep' in a generous or practical sense.
- Eu fiquei com muita raiva ontem.
I got very angry yesterday.
Word by Word: I stayed with much anger yesterday.
When used with abstract nouns like 'raiva' (anger) or 'medo' (fear), it means 'to get' or 'to become'.
- Quem vai ficar com as chaves do carro?
Who is going to keep the car keys?
Word by Word: Who goes to stay with the keys of the car?
This asks who will be in possession of the keys after a transition or decision.
- Ela ficou com o João na festa.
She hooked up with João at the party.
Word by Word: She stayed with the João at the party.
In a social context involving people, this usually implies a casual romantic encounter.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the preposition 'com' when meaning 'to keep'.
Eu quero ficar o seu telefone.Eu quero ficar com o seu telefone.Without 'com', the verb 'ficar' just means 'to stay'. To mean 'keep' or 'have in possession', you must include 'com'.
Attempting to contract 'com' with articles like 'do' or 'no'.
Fiquei co troco.Fiquei com o troco.Unlike 'de' or 'em', the preposition 'com' does not merge with articles in modern Portuguese.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'ficar com + substantivo', you need to know how to conjugate the verb 'ficar' in the present tense and understand how the preposition 'com' connects the action to the object being kept or obtained.
- -o/-es/-e/-emos/-eis/-emPresent Tense -ER Verbs
The verb 'ficar' is a regular -ar verb, but understanding the present tense conjugation system (like -er or -ar endings) is necessary to use the verb correctly in this expression.
Level 1 - a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
This pattern relies on the preposition 'com' to link the verb to the noun.
Foundations - estar com + fome/sede/frio/sonoEstar Com Expressions
This pattern introduces the idiomatic use of 'com' to express states or possession of conditions, which is functionally similar to 'ficar com'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- tenho/tens/tem/temos/têmTer Present Tense
'Ter' indicates general ownership, whereas 'ficar com' indicates the act of keeping or acquiring.
Foundations - ficar sem + NounFicar Sem
The opposite of 'ficar com', meaning 'to end up without' or 'to run out of' something.
Level 2 - comigo/contigo/consigo/conosco/convoscoPronoun-Preposition Fusions with Com
These are special forms used when 'com' is followed by a personal pronoun (e.g., 'Fique comigo' - Stay/Keep with me).
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice ficar com + Noun in Bubblegum
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