Relative pronouns are used in sentences to connect two ideas or clauses, usually to give more information about a noun or pronoun. In Portuguese, there are several relative pronouns that are used depending on the context and the information being conveyed. This guide will introduce the most common Portuguese relative pronouns, their meanings, and how to use them in sentences.
Que – That/Which/Who/Whom
The relative pronoun “que” is one of the most common in Portuguese and can be translated as “that,” “which,” “who,” or “whom.” It is used to connect two clauses where one of the clauses refers to a person, animal, thing, or idea that is mentioned in the other clause. For example:
O livro que eu comprei é muito interessante. (The book that I bought is very interesting.)
A pessoa que me ajudou é minha amiga. (The person who helped me is my friend.)
In both of these sentences, “que” is used to connect the two clauses and give more information about the noun in the first clause.
Quem – Who/Whom
The relative pronoun “quem” is used to refer to a person and can be translated as “who” or “whom.” It is often used after prepositions such as “com” (with), “de” (of), or “para” (for). For example:
A pessoa com quem eu falei é o meu chefe. (The person whom I spoke with is my boss.)
O amigo para quem eu comprei o presente gostou muito. (The friend for whom I bought the gift liked it very much.)
In these sentences, “quem” is used to give more information about the person in the first clause and is connected to the preposition in the second clause.
Cujo/Cuja/Cujos/Cujas – Whose
The relative pronouns “cujo,” “cuja,” “cujos,” and “cujas” are used to indicate possession and are translated as “whose.” They agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to. For example:
A casa cujo telhado está quebrado é minha. (The house whose roof is broken is mine.)
As crianças cujas mães trabalham aqui ficam no jardim de infância. (The children whose mothers work here stay in the kindergarten.)
In these sentences, “cujo” and its forms are used to give more information about the noun in the first clause and indicate possession.
Onde – Where
The relative pronoun “onde” is used to refer to a place and is translated as “where.” It is often used after prepositions such as “em” (in), “para” (to), or “de” (from). For example:
A cidade onde eu moro é muito bonita. (The city where I live is very beautiful.)
O lugar para onde eu vou é a praia. (The place where I’m going is the beach.)
In these sentences, “onde” is used to give more information about the place in the first clause and is connected to the preposition in the second clause.
Quando – When
The relative pronoun “quando” is used to refer to a time and is translated as “when.” It is often used after verbs such as “lembrar” (to remember), “esquecer” (to forget), or “contar” (to tell). For example:
O dia em que eu nasci foi muito importante para a minha família. (The day when I was born was very important for my family.)
Ahistória que ela me contou foi incrível. (The story that she told me was amazing.)
In these sentences, “quando” is used to give more information about the time in the first clause and is connected to the verb in the second clause.
Como – As/Like/How
The relative pronoun “como” is used to compare or describe things and can be translated as “as,” “like,” or “how.” It is often used after verbs such as “ver” (to see), “sentir” (to feel), or “parecer” (to seem). For example:
Ele se vestiu como um palhaço para a festa. (He dressed as a clown for the party.)
A música soava como um suspiro de amor. (The music sounded like a sigh of love.)
In these sentences, “como” is used to compare or describe the thing in the first clause and is connected to the verb in the second clause.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Portuguese relative pronouns are an essential part of the language and are used to connect two clauses and give more information about a noun or pronoun. The most common relative pronouns in Portuguese are “que,” “quem,” “cujo,” “cuja,” “cujos,” “cujas,” “onde,” “quando,” and “como.” Understanding how to use these pronouns correctly is crucial for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences in Portuguese. By practicing and familiarizing yourself with these pronouns, you can improve your proficiency in the language and express yourself more effectively.
Originally posted 2023-07-17 13:28:28.