Personal pronouns are essential elements of any language, as they help to identify and specify the participants in a sentence. In Portuguese, like in any other language, personal pronouns represent the speakers, listeners, and other people or things being talked about in a sentence. In this article, we will introduce the Portuguese personal pronouns, their meanings, and how they are used in different contexts.
Subject Pronouns in Portuguese
Subject pronouns are the most common type of personal pronouns used in Portuguese. They represent the subject of a sentence and help to identify who is performing the action. In Portuguese, there are nine subject pronouns. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Eu – I
The first-person singular subject pronoun in Portuguese is “eu,” which means “I” in English. This pronoun is used to represent the speaker or the person who is performing the action. For example, “Eu gosto de comer pizza” means “I like to eat pizza.”
Tu – You (singular, informal)
The second-person singular subject pronoun in Portuguese is “tu,” which means “you” in English. This pronoun is used to address someone in an informal or casual setting. For example, “Tu és meu amigo” means “You are my friend.”
Ele – He
The third-person singular masculine subject pronoun in Portuguese is “ele,” which means “he” in English. This pronoun is used to represent a male person or thing being talked about in a sentence. For example, “Ele gosta de jogar futebol” means “He likes to play soccer.”
Ela – She
The third-person singular feminine subject pronoun in Portuguese is “ela,” which means “she” in English. This pronoun is used to represent a female person or thing being talked about in a sentence. For example, “Ela trabalha como médica” means “She works as a doctor.”
Nós – We
The first-person plural subject pronoun in Portuguese is “nós,” which means “we” in English. This pronoun is used to represent the speaker and one or more other people who are performing the action. For example, “Nós vamos ao cinema hoje” means “We are going to the cinema today.”
Vós – You (plural, informal)
The second-person plural subject pronoun in Portuguese is “vós,” which means “you” in English. This pronoun is used to address a group of people in an informal or casual setting. However, this pronoun is not commonly used in modern Portuguese, and it is mostly used in religious contexts or in some regions of Portugal. For example, “Vós sois meus amigos” means “You are my friends.”
Eles – They (masculine)
The third-person plural masculine subject pronoun in Portuguese is “eles,” which means “they” in English. This pronoun is used to represent a group of male people or things being talked about in a sentence. For example, “Eles estudam na mesma universidade” means “They study at the same university.”
Elas – They (feminine)
The third-person plural feminine subject pronoun in Portuguese is “elas,” which means “they” in English. This pronoun is used to represent a group of female people or things being talked about in a sentence. For example, “Elas gostam de viajar juntas” means “They like to travel together.”
Você – You (singular, formal)
The singular formal subject pronoun in Portuguese is “você,” which means “you” in English. This pronoun is used to address someone in a formal or polite setting. For example, “Você poderia me ajudar com este problema?” means “Could you help me with this problem?”
Vocês – You (plural, formal or informal)
The plural subject pronoun in Portuguese is “vocês,” which means “you” in English. This pronoun is used to address a group of people in a formal or informal setting. For example, “Vocês gostam de música?” means “Do you all like music?”
In conclusion, personal pronouns are essential elements of the Portuguese language, as they help to identify and specify the participants in a sentence. Knowing how to use personal pronouns correctly is crucial for effective communication in Portuguese. In this article, we have introduced the nine subject pronouns in Portuguese, including their meanings and usage in different contexts. By understanding the differences between each of these pronouns, you can effectively communicate with native Portuguese speakers and gain a better understanding of the language. With practice and repetition, mastering Portuguese personal pronouns will become second nature, and you will be on your way to becoming fluent in this beautiful language.
Originally posted 2023-07-17 13:50:26.