a gente + se/nos
Object and Reflexive Agreement with a Gente
In casual Portuguese, a gente means 'we'. While it always takes a 3rd-person singular verb, speakers often use plural possessives like nosso to reflect the plural meaning.
How It Works
The expression a gente is the standard way to say 'we' in informal Brazilian Portuguese. However, you must use the traditional pronoun nós in formal writing, academic contexts, and professional journalism.
Verb Conjugation: Even though it means 'we', it takes a 3rd-person singular verb (the ele/ela/você form), for example: a gente vai (we go). While you might hear 'a gente vamos' on the streets, it is heavily stigmatized and should be avoided.
Reflexive and Object Pronouns: To be grammatically consistent, you should use the reflexive pronoun se (e.g., a gente se diverte). While you will hear Brazilians say a gente nos diverte, this is a colloquial hybrid form that is often stigmatized in formal settings.
Adjective Agreement: Because the word gente is a feminine noun, strict grammatical agreement requires adjectives to be feminine singular (e.g., A gente está cansada). However, authoritative traditional grammars also formally recognize natural agreement (silepse de gênero) as a legitimate figure of syntax. This means adjectives can agree with the actual gender of the people in the group: masculine singular for men or mixed groups (e.g., A gente está cansado), and feminine singular for all-female groups.
Possession: Using seu/sua with 'a gente' is confusing because seu usually means 'your' or 'his/her'. To avoid this, speakers use:
- da gente: (e.g., o carro da gente) - very common and safe.
- nosso/nossa: (e.g., nosso carro) - reflects the plural meaning of 'we'.
As an Object: You can use 'a gente' as the object of a sentence to mean 'us' (e.g., Eles viram a gente). Alternatively, speakers frequently switch to the standard object pronoun nos (e.g., Eles nos viram) even when using 'a gente' as the subject.
With Prepositions: While textbooks teach the formal word conosco (with us), using com a gente is the overwhelming default in everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Spelling and Usage Notes: Always write 'a gente' as two words. 'Agente' (one word) means 'agent' (like a secret agent). Additionally, do not drop the article 'a'. While a gente means 'we', the word gente by itself simply means 'people' (e.g., Tem muita gente aqui = There are a lot of people here).
Examples (5)
- A gente se viu no espelho.
We saw ourselves in the mirror.
Word by Word: The people self saw in the mirror.
This is the recommended way for learners: use the singular verb 'viu' and the 3rd-person reflexive 'se' to match 'a gente'.
- Eles convidaram a gente para a festa.
They invited us to the party.
Word by Word: They invited the people to the party.
In Brazil, 'a gente' is frequently used as a direct object meaning 'us'.
- O carro da gente quebrou.
Our car broke down.
Word by Word: The car of the people broke.
Using 'da gente' is a very common and natural way to express 'our' without the ambiguity of 'seu'.
- A gente esqueceu o nosso guarda-chuva.
We forgot our umbrella.
Word by Word: The people forgot the our umbrella.
Speakers often use 'nosso' (our) because 'a gente' means 'we', even though the verb remains singular.
- A gente nos perdeu no caminho.
We got lost on the way.
Word by Word: The people us lost in the way.
You will hear natives use 'nos' with 'a gente', but it is considered a grammatical inconsistency (silepse) and is not recommended for formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Using a plural verb with 'a gente'.
A gente vamos agora.A gente vai agora.Even though 'a gente' means 'we', the verb MUST remain singular in standard Portuguese. While you might hear 'a gente vamos' in highly colloquial or uneducated speech (a phenomenon called silepse de pessoa), it is heavily stigmatized and you should avoid saying it yourself.
Using 'nós' with a singular verb.
Nós vai amanhã.Nós vamos amanhã.If you use the pronoun 'nós', the verb must be plural. Only 'a gente' takes the singular verb.
Writing 'a gente' as one word.
Agente vai ao cinema.A gente vai ao cinema.This is a notorious spelling mistake even among native speakers. 'A gente' (two words) means 'we' or 'us'. 'Agente' (one word) means 'agent' (like a secret agent or police agent).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn this pattern, you need to understand the informal subject 'a gente' and how it normally triggers singular verbs. You also need to be familiar with first-person plural object and reflexive pronouns (nos), as this pattern involves a hybrid agreement where the subject is singular in form but the pronouns remain plural in meaning.
- a genteA Gente (Informal We)
Learners must first understand that 'a gente' functions as an informal 'we' and triggers third-person singular verb conjugation.
Level 1 - me/te/se/nos/vos/seReflexive Pronouns
Understanding the standard reflexive pronouns is necessary to recognize the hybrid usage of 'nos' or 'se' with 'a gente'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- nosso/nossa/nossos/nossasPossessive First Person Plural
The plural possessive adjectives often paired with 'a gente' in this pattern.
Level 1 - nós/eles/elas/vocêsSubject Pronouns (Plural)
The formal alternative to 'a gente' which requires full plural agreement.
Foundations - me/te/o/a/nos/vos/os/asDirect Object Pronouns
The direct object pronouns, where 'nos' is used for 'us'.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice a gente + se/nos in Bubblegum
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