When learning Portuguese, one important aspect to grasp is the use of prepositions, especially when it comes to expressing movement. Prepositions of movement play a crucial role in indicating the direction and manner in which something or someone moves from one place to another. In this guide, we will explore the most common prepositions of movement in Portuguese, along with their meanings and examples to help beginners understand their usage.
“Para” (To):
The preposition “para” is frequently used to express movement towards a specific destination. It indicates the direction of movement, often with the idea of going to or arriving at a place. Take a look at the following examples:
Eu vou para o trabalho. (I am going to work.)
Ela corre para a praia. (She runs to the beach.)
Nós viajamos para o Brasil. (We travel to Brazil.)
In these sentences, “para” indicates the intended destination or goal of the movement.
“De” (From):
The preposition “de” is used to indicate movement originating from a specific location. It suggests the starting point or source of the movement. Consider the following examples:
Eu venho de casa. (I come from home.)
Ele sai do parque. (He leaves from the park.)
Nós voltamos da escola. (We return from school.)
In these sentences, “de” expresses the place where the movement begins or the point of origin.
“Em” (In/Into):
The preposition “em” is employed to denote movement into or inside a particular location. It implies entering or being in a place. Let’s see some examples:
Ele entrou em casa. (He entered the house.)
Nós nadamos em uma piscina. (We swim in a pool.)
O gato pulou em cima da mesa. (The cat jumped onto the table.)
In these sentences, “em” indicates the movement towards the interior or inclusion within a specific space.
“A” (To):
The preposition “a” is often used to express movement towards a person. It suggests the direction of movement when approaching someone. Consider the following examples:
Eu vou à casa da minha avó. (I am going to my grandmother’s house.)
Ele correu ao encontro dela. (He ran towards her.)
Ela foi ao escritório do chefe. (She went to the boss’s office.)
In these sentences, “a” indicates the movement towards a person or someone’s presence.
“Com” (With):
The preposition “com” is utilized to express movement accompanied by someone or something. It suggests going or traveling together. Let’s look at some examples:
Nós vamos com nossos amigos. (We are going with our friends.)
Ele caminha com seu cachorro. (He walks with his dog.)
Ela saiu com o namorado. (She went out with her boyfriend.)
In these sentences, “com” indicates the movement that involves being in the company of someone or something.
“Por” (Through/By):
The preposition “por” is used to indicate movement through a place or by means of transportation. It implies passing or traveling by a particular route. Consider the following examples:
Nós passamos por um parque. (We passed through a park.)
Ela viaja por avião. (She travels by plane.)
O trem passou pela estação. (The train passed by the station.)
In these sentences, “por” indicates movement through a place or transportation by a specific means.
“Até” (Until):
The preposition “até” is employed to express movement that continues up to a certain point or destination. It implies reaching or arriving at a specific place. Let’s see some examples:
Nós caminhamos até a praia. (We walked until the beach.)
Ele dirigiu até a fronteira. (He drove until the border.)
Eu estudei até tarde. (I studied until late.)
In these sentences, “até” indicates movement that extends to a particular point or destination.
It’s important to note that these are just some of the most common prepositions of movement in Portuguese. There are additional prepositions that may also convey movement in different contexts. However, understanding these basic prepositions will provide a solid foundation for beginners learning Portuguese.
In conclusion, prepositions of movement play a vital role in indicating the direction and manner of movement in Portuguese. Whether it’s expressing movement towards a destination, starting from a location, entering a place, approaching someone, or traveling with someone or something, each preposition carries a distinct meaning. By familiarizing yourself with these prepositions and practicing their usage through example sentences, you can enhance your understanding of Portuguese and effectively communicate movements and directions.
Originally posted 2023-07-14 15:01:33.