mim/ti

Prepositional Pronouns

Level 2

In Portuguese, the pronouns for 'I' and 'you' change their form when they follow a preposition. Instead of eu and tu, you must use mim and ti.

How It Works

These are called tonic object pronouns. They are used specifically to receive the action of a preposition.

1. Standard Usage
Use these forms after prepositions such as para (for), de (of/from), sem (without), sobre (about), and entre (between).
Example: Isto é para mim? (Is this for me?)

2. The 'Com' Exception
The preposition com (with) is special. It never combines with mim or ti directly. Instead, it fuses into unique words like comigo (with me) and contigo (with you).

3. Regional Variation & Consigo
While mim is used everywhere, ti is standard in Portugal. In Brazil, many regions prefer você after prepositions (e.g., para você). Note that si and consigo are strictly reflexive (meaning 'himself/yourself') in Brazil, whereas in Portugal, consigo is also used formally to mean 'with you'.

4. The 'Subject' Rule
If the pronoun is the subject of a verb that follows, you must use the subject pronoun (eu/tu), even if a preposition is present.
• Para mim (Object: For me)
• Para eu fazer (Subject: For me to do)

Examples (5)

  1. Este presente é para mim?

    Is this gift for me?

    Word by Word: This gift is for me?

    Here, 'mim' is used because it follows the preposition 'para'.

  2. Eu não vou à festa sem ti.

    I am not going to the party without you.

    Word by Word: I not go to-the party without you.

    In European Portuguese or regional Brazilian Portuguese, 'ti' follows the preposition 'sem'.

  3. Não há nada entre mim e ti.

    There is nothing between me and you.

    Word by Word: Not there-is nothing between me and you.

    The preposition 'entre' requires the prepositional forms 'mim' and 'ti'.

  4. Ela gosta muito de mim.

    She likes me a lot.

    Word by Word: She likes much of me.

    The verb 'gostar' requires the preposition 'de', which triggers the use of 'mim'.

  5. Eles falaram sobre ti na reunião.

    They spoke about you in the meeting.

    Word by Word: They spoke about you in-the meeting.

    The preposition 'sobre' (about) is followed by the pronoun 'ti'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'mim' as the subject of a verb.

    Isto é para mim fazer.
    Isto é para eu fazer.

    A common rule in Portuguese is 'mim não faz nada' (mim does nothing). If there is a verb to perform, use the subject pronoun 'eu'.

  • Using subject pronouns after the preposition 'entre'.

    Não há segredos entre eu e tu.
    Não há segredos entre mim e ti.

    Even though it sounds natural to some, 'entre' requires prepositional pronouns (mim/ti) rather than subject pronouns (eu/tu).

  • Using 'com mim' or 'com ti'.

    Ele vem com mim.
    Ele vem comigo.

    The preposition 'com' must fuse with the pronoun to form 'comigo' or 'contigo'.

How It Connects

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mim/tiLevel 2Prepositional Pronouns

Learn This First

To understand prepositional pronouns, you first need to know the basic subject pronouns (eu, tu) and common prepositions (like para, de, or sem). This pattern explains the specific rule where 'eu' and 'tu' change their forms when following a preposition.

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Words in This Pattern

mim