In Brazilian Portuguese, the simple future tense is considered highly formal. In informal written and spoken language, you are more likely to hear the future with ir.
Brazilian Portuguese Articles
How to talk about the future in Brazilian Portuguese?
By: Ana Amélia Rodrigues dos Santos Thu Dec 12 2024
There are several different ways to talk about the future in Brazilian Portuguese:
Use the simple future tense
Use ir + infinitive verb
Use the simple present tense
Use a compound form with the present tense
The simple future tense is often used in formal situations to refer to plans and intentions, as in:
simple future
Viajarei para o Brasil na semana que vem.
I will travel to Brazil next week.
In everyday written and spoken language, however, we most often talk about the future by combining the present tense of with ir(to go) with an infinitive, as in:
present tenseinfinitive
Vou viajar para o Brasil semana que vem.
I am going to travel to Brazil next week.
But there are also other ways to express the future, and we will talk about them in this post. Are you ready to start? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
How to use the simple future tense in Brazilian Portuguese?
Use the simple future tense to speak formally about the future, much like you might use the future with “will” in English:
simple future
Falarei com o Marcos assim que chegar em casa.
I will/am going to speak with Marcos as soon as I arrive home.
Important
Below, you will see how to conjugate the verbs in the simple future tense and when to use it.
How to form the simple future in Brazilian Portuguese?
To form the simple future in Brazilian Portuguese, you will usually add the simple future tense endings to the infinitiveNo definition set for infinitiveLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. form of the verb. Luckily, only three verbs are irregular in this tense!
Regular verbs
To conjugate regular verbs into the simple future tense, simply add the appropriate endings in the chart below to the infinitive form of the verb.
Subject PronounsEndingfalar(to speak)comer(to eat)abrir(to open)eu(I)-eifalareicomereiabrireitu(you)-ásfalaráscomerásabrirásvocê(you, sg.)ele(he, it)ela(she, it)-áfalarácomeráabriránós(we)-emosfalaremoscomeremosabriremosvós*(you, formal)-eisfalareiscomereisabrireisvocês(you, pl.)eles, elas(they)-ãofalarãocomerãoabrirãoTip
See how simple it is to conjugate the verbs in the future? We use the same endings for verbs with -ar, -er, and -ir endings. Even typically irregular verbs, like the verb pôr(to put) and its derivatives, such as repor(to replace), supor(to assume), and impor(to impose), follows this same rule (though it loses the ^ accent), as in, eu porei(I will put) or você porá(you will put).
Irregular verbs
Only three verbs are irregular in the simple future: trazer(to bring), fazer(to do, to make), and dizer(to say), though the verbs that are derived from these three, like desfazer(to undo) or desdizer(to unsay), will share their irregularity.
Luckily, the only thing that is irregular about these verbs is the stemNo definition set for stemLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. to which we add the endings. These are trar-, far-, and dir-, rather than the full infinitive forms. Other than that, these verbs use the same simple future endings as the ones shown above.
Subject Pronounstrazer(to bring)fazer(to do, to make)dizer(to say)→ trar-→ far-→ dir-eu(I)trareifareidireitu(you)trarásfarásdirásvocê(you, sg.)ele(he, it)ela(she, it)traráfarádiránós(we)traremosfaremosdiremosvós*(you, formal)trareisfareisdireisvocês(you, pl.)eles, elas(they)trarãofarãodirão
Where to put object pronouns in the simple future tense?
The most proper placement of an object pronounNo definition set for object pronounLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. in the simple future is between the stem and the ending.
Let’s take a look at the verb fazer(to do) in the sentence below. Here, the stem is far- and the ending is -ei.
Farei o trabalho assim que puder. → Fá-lo-ei assim que puder.
I will do the work as soon as possible. → I will do it as soon as possible.
Here are the steps:
The stem far- loses the r and the vowel a receives a written accent: fá-
The object pronoun o that replaces o trabalho must be preceded accompanied by an l:lo
Important
Take a look at our post on the position of object pronouns in Brazilian Portuguese to review the full rules!
However, in everyday language, Brazilians tend to place the object pronoun before the verb or they even omit it altogether. This is not considered grammatically correct, but it is still common.
O farei assim que puder.
Farei assim que puder.
I will do it as soon as possible.
When to use the simple future tense in Brazilian Portuguese?
The simple future tense is formal, but it is used in many different circumstances to refer to both immediate or later future. Let’s take a look at when to use it:
To indicate certain or probable facts in the future
Os alunos terminarão o trabalho esta semana.
The students will finish the work this week.
In this case, the simple future tense can also be accompanied by an expression that indicates certainty, such as tenho certeza que…(I am sure that…):
Tenho certeza que choverá amanhã.
I am certain that it will rain tomorrow.
To express uncertainty or speculation about future facts
Eu não vi o Carlos hoje. Onde ele estaria?
I haven’t seen Carlos today. Where could he be?
You can add words, such as talvez(maybe), to show uncertainty or doubt.
Os alunos talvez terminarão o trabalho esta semana.
The student will maybe finish the work this week.
To express an opinion in a polite way
Eu direi que essa viagem está sendo muito boa.
I will say that this trip has been very good.
However, the use of the simple future tense is formal and rarely used in everyday written and spoken language. In informal written and spoken language, Brazilians prefer the conditional tense in this case:
conditional simpleEu diria que essa viagem está sendo muito boa.
I would say that this trip has been very good.
To express indirect requests or orders
Você entregará toda a pesquisa ainda hoje, ok?
You will deliver all the research later today, ok?
The use of the simple future tense here makes the sentence very formal. In everyday written and spoken language, we most often use the future with ir instead.
To show the probable future result of a condition being met
conditionsimple futureSe estudarmos português agora, conseguiremos nos comunicar melhor com as pessoas no Brasil.
If we study Portuguese now, we will be able to communicate better with people in Brazil.
How use the future with ‘ir’ in Brazilian Portuguese?
In everyday written and spoken Brazilian Portuguese, it is very common to form the future tense by combining ir(to go) in the simple present with the infinitive of the main verb.
ir(to go)
simple present
infinitive
Here is how to conjugate ir in the simple present:
Subject Pronouns | ir(to go) |
|---|---|
eu(I) | vou |
tu(you) | vais |
você(you, sg.)ele(he, it)ela(she, it) | vai |
nós(we) | vamos |
vós*(you, formal) | ides |
vocês(you, pl.)eles, elas(they) | vão |
This form of the future is less formal than the simple future, but otherwise we use it in all the same ways that we can use the simple future.
To refer to certain facts or probable events in the future
simple presentinfinitiveTenho certeza que vai chover amanhã.
I am certain that it will rain tomorrow.
To express uncertainty about the future facts
simple presentinfinitiveOs alunos talvez vão terminar o trabalho esta semana.
The student will maybe finish the work this week.
Show indirect requests and orders
simple presentinfinitiveVocê vai entregar toda a pesquisa ainda hoje, ok?
You will deliver all the research later today, ok?
Express condition and show probability
simple presentinfinitiveSe estudarmos português agora, vamos conseguir nos comunicar melhor com as pessoas no Brasil.
If we study Portuguese now, we will be able to communicate better with people in Brazil.
Important
In the future with ir, object pronouns can be placed in many different places. Take a look below:
simple presentinfinitiveobject pronoun
Vou lhe mostrar os nossos planos.
Vou mostrar-lhe os nossos planos.
Vou-lhe mostrar os nossos planos.
I am going to show him our plans.
Tip
When ir(to go) is the main verb, you can still use the future with ir by repeating the verb ir twice (once as the auxiliary and once as the main verb), as in:
simple presentinfinitive
Eu vou ir comer no restaurante mais tarde hoje.
I am going to go eat at the restaurant later today.
However, when ir is also the main verb, Brazilians will just use the simple present along with a time marker that indicates that they’re discussing future events. This avoids the repetition of the verb ir. So, instead, you would say:
simple present
Eu vou comer no restaurante mais tarde hoje.
I am going to go eat at the restaurant later today.
Read on to learn more about using the simple present to discuss the future!
How to use the simple present tense to express the future in Brazilian Portuguese?
In Brazilian Portuguese, like in English, you can also use the simple present tense to discuss a scheduled event or something that will happen in the near future. Take a look at this example:
A reunião com o Bruno é daqui a duas horas.
The meeting with Bruno is in two hours.
In this case, a time marker like daqui duas horas(in two hours) is used to show when in the future this event will happen. Here are a few other time markers in Brazilian Portuguese that you can use to make it clear that you’re talking about the future:
amanhã(tomorrow)
depois de amanhã(the day after tomorrow)
na próxima semana(next week)
na semana que vem(next week)
dentro de 2 dias(in 2 days)
brevemente(soon)
em breve(soon)
daqui a uma semana(in one week)
para o ano que vem(for next year)
Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, there are some idiomatic expressions in the present tense that are used to refer to the future. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Brazilian Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
Te ligo amanhã. | I'll call you tomorrow. |
A gente se fala mais tarde. | We'll talk later. |
A gente se vê. | See you. |
Eu vejo isso na semana que vem. | I will take care of that next week. |
Attention! Some time markers can also be placed at the beginning of these expressions without changes in their meaning:
Amanhã te ligo.
Mais tarde a gente se fala.
Na semana que vem vejo isso.
How to use compound forms in the present tense to express the future?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the present tense compound verb forms haver de + infinitive, ter de + infinitive, and several expressions with estar(to be) can be used to refer to the future. Let’s take a look at each.
‘Haver de’ + infinitive
The compound form with haver de + infinitive is used to talk about the intention of doing something. In this case, the verb haver works as an auxiliary conjugated in the simple present tense, and it is followed by the prepositionNo definition set for prepositionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. de(of, for) and the main verb in the infinitive form.
simple presentinfinitive
Havemos de viajar juntos para os EUA.
We will travel to the USA.
Here’s how to conjugate haver in the present tense:
Subject Pronouns | haver(to be, to have, will) |
|---|---|
eu(I) | hei |
tu(you) | hás |
você(you, sg.)ele(he, it)ela(she, it) | há |
nós(we) | havemos |
vós*(you, formal) | haveis |
vocês(you, pl.)eles, elas(they) | hão |
Tip
This is a very formal way to refer to the future and it is rarely used in everyday written or spoken language. Instead, we typically use other simple present tense verbs that show intention, like querer(to want), desejar(to wish), or pretender(to intend).
Queremos / desejamos / pretendemos viajar para os EUA.
We want / wish / intend to travel to the USA.
‘Ter de’ + infinitive
The compound form with ter de + infinitive is used to emphasize the need or obligation to do something in the future. The verb ter(to have) is conjugated in the simple present tense and followed by the preposition de(of, for), and the main verb is in the infinitive form.
simple presentinfinitive
Temos de falar com a Maria sobre os nossos planos.
We have to tell Maria about our plans.
Tip
This compound form can replaced by precisar(to need to) + infinitive, which carries the same meaning of need and obligation.
simple presentinfinitive
Precisamos falar com a Maria sobre os nossos planos.
We need to talk to Maria about our plans.
Expressions with ‘estar’
There are some compound expressions with estar(to be) that can also be used to refer to the future. Let’s take a look at them:
Estar pensando em + infinitive:
Estar pensando em + infinitive is used to talk about plans or intentions in the future. In this case, the verb estar is conjugated in the simple present and the main verb is in the infinitive.
simple presentinfinitiveCarla está pensando em estudar português.
Carla is thinking about studying Portuguese.
Estar para + infinitive:
Estar para + infinitive is used to refer to something that is about to happen. Again, estar is conjugated in the simple present tense, with the main verb in the infinitive.
simple presentinfinitiveEstá para chover.
It is about to rain.
Estamos para chegar.
We are about to arrive.
Estar a ponto de + infinitive:
Estar a ponto de + infinitive is also used to refer to something that is about to happen in the future and can be used instead of estar para. In this case, a ponto de means “to be on the point of / on the verge of” + verb-ing.
simple presentinfinitiveEstá a ponto de chover.
It is about to rain.
Estamos a ponto de chegar.
We are about to arrive.
Tip
The expression estar prestes a(to be about to) is equivalent to estar para and estar a ponto de, but this expression is slightly more formal than the others:
simple presentinfinitive
Está prestes a chover.
It is about to rain.
Estamos prestes a chegar.
We are about to arrive.
Summary
In this post, we talked about the different forms for expressing the future in Brazilian Portuguese:
the simple future (more formal)
the future with ir (in everyday written and spoken language)
the simple present (for the near future or scheduled future)
Want to review it all? Check out this summary of all the ways to express the future in Brazilian Portuguese!
Now, it is time to practice what you read here with this activity to practice the future in Brazilian Portuguese.
