The most common prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese are a(to), em(in, on), and de(of, from), along with após(after), com(with), sem(without), contra(against), segundo(according to), and some compound prepositions like a fim de(in order to). These prepositions are often used to express movement, time, place, and more!
In this post, we’ll review each of these common prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese, as well as their uses and a review of which verbs should and should not be followed by a preposition. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s go!
Most of the common prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese have many different uses. In this section, we’ll go through some of the uses of the common prepositions a(to), em(in, on), de(of, from), após(after), com(with), sem(without), contra(against), and segundo(according to).
For an in-depth discussion of the most common ways to use prepositions, check out the posts below:
Or, if you’re specifically interested in por and para, you might want to check out our post on the contrast between the prepositions por and para in Brazilian Portuguese.
The preposition a is most commonly used with verbs of movement, such as ir(to go) and voltar(to come back):
Você foi ao supermercado.
You went to the supermarket.
The preposition a forms the following contractionsNo definition set for contractionsLorem 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. with the definite article:
a + o → ao
a + a → à
a + o → aos
a + as → às
However, you can also use a in many other situations as well. Let’s take a closer look!
To introduce the tool or method used to complete an action:
The preposition a is used to explain how something is done by introducing a tool or a method that was used to accomplish a task.
As blusas de seda foram levadas para a lavagem a seco.
The silk blouses were taken to the dry cleaning.
Por favor, escrevam o texto a lápis.
Please write the text with a pencil.
In the last phrase, it's also common to use the preposition com(with) + the instrument used, as in:
Escrevam o texto com um lápis.
To describe how something happened:
A can introduce a more general noun representing the manner in which something happened (how it happened) or the situation something remained in for a time (how it was). Usually in this use it comes before a feminine noun.
Eles saíram às pressas.
They left in a hurry.
Entre e sinta-se à vontade.
Come in and make yourself at home.
lit. Come and sit at your will.
Hoje eles preferem ficar em casa à toa.
Today they prefer to stay home for nothing.
Check out this table for more examples of adverbials with a like those above.
To introduce an indirect object:
A can also be used to introduce the indirect objectNo definition set for indirect objectLorem 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..
O professor mostrou a sala aos estudantes.
The teacher showed the room to the students.
A diretora enviou um email à secretaria.
The director sent an email to the secretary.
In this context, we can also use the preposition para instead of a:
O professor mostrou a sala para os estudantes.
A diretora enviou um email para a secretaria.
de… a…(from... to...) to give the end of a spectrum or final situation after a change:
The preposition a can also indicate successive stages of something.
A economia do país vai de mal a pior.
The economy of the country is going from bad to worse.
The preposition em is commonly used to express time and place:
O meu aniversário é em 25 de janeiro.
My birthday is on the 25th of January.
Ela mora na Itália.
She lives in Italy.
Nós estamos na praia.
We are at the beach.
The preposition em forms the following contractionsNo definition set for contractionsLorem 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. with the definite article:
em + o → no
em + a → na
em + os → nos
em + as → nas
However, em can also be used in other contexts as well. Let’s look at these uses:
Means of payment:
It’s possible to use em to discuss means of payment. In this context, it can be translated into English as “by.”
Você prefere pagar em dinheiro ou em cartão?
Do you prefer to pay by cash or by card?
Estimated values and rates:
We can use em to introduce the estimated value of something. In this context, it means “at” in English.
O apartamento foi estimado em cem mil dólares.
The apartment was estimated at one hundred thousand dollars.
O euro está cotado em dois dólares.
The euro is quoted at two dollars.
Emotional states:
We can also use em + noun to indicate an emotional state.
Espero que eles fiquem em paz.
I hope they stay in peace.
Ele estava em pânico.
He was panicking.
lit. He was in a panic.
Division:
To show how something can be divided, we use the preposition em in Brazilian Portuguese:
O livro se divide em três capítulos.
The book is divided into three chapters.
Expressing a goal:
Although it is common to use the preposition para to express goals in Brazilian Portuguese, we can also use the preposition of em + noun instead:
Paula me pediu em casamento. = Paula me pediu para casar com ela.
Paula asked me for marriage. = Paula asked me to marry her.
The preposition de is often used in contexts of movement and time in Brazilian Portuguese:
Hoje é 20 de janeiro de 2020.
Today is 20 of January of 2020.
As crianças terão férias de junho a agosto.
The kids are going to be on vacation from June to August.
Voltei do trabalho mais tarde.
I came from work later.
The preposition de forms the following contractionNo definition set for contractionLorem 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.s with the definite article:
de + o → do
de + a → da
de + os → dos
de + as → das
However, this preposition also has some other uses:
Introducing the origin of something:
When we say where someone or something is from, we use de in Brazilian Portuguese.
O rolinho primavera é da China.
The spring roll is from China.
Paola é da Itália.
Paola is from Italy.
Movements or position of the body:
There are some expressions related to the position or movements of a person’s body using the preposition de.
Paula sabe nadar de costas.
Paula knows how to swim backwards.
As crianças estão dormindo de bruços.
The children are sleeping on their stomach.
Topic:
De is also used to introduce the topic of something, in which case it has a similar meaning to the preposition sobre(about):
Eu estou falando do Pedro.
I’m talking about Pedro.
Possession and relationship:
De indicates the author of something:
Essa música é do Caetano Veloso.
This song is by Caetano Veloso.
Possession and relationship:
Use de to show whose something is:
Este livro é da Ana.
This is Ana’s book.
Ela é a irmã do Pedro.
She is Pedro’s sister.
In Brazilian Portuguese we always use preposition + noun to indicate possession. There’s no equivalent to the English -’s form of a noun (e.g. “Juliana’s”).
Este é o carro da Juliana.
This is Juliana’s car.
lit. This is the car of Juliana.
Reason:
We also use de to show the cause of or reason for something, and it's usually placed before a noun.
Eles choraram de alegria.
They cried with happiness.
Brazilians often use the expression morrer de(to die of) to emphasize a feeling or state.
Ana morre de medo de baratas.
Ana is terrified of cockroaches.
lit. Ana dies of fear of cockroaches.
As crianças estão morrendo de sono.
The children are very sleepy.
lit. The children are dying of sleep.
Function or use of something:
The preposition de is also used to specify the intended function or use of something:
Ele comprou uma escova de dentes.
He bought a toothbrush.
lit. He bought a brush of/for teeth.
Os funcionários estão na sala de reunião.
The employees are in the meeting room.
lit. The employees are in the room of meeting.
Price or measure:
De is used to describe the price or the measurement of something. In this case, de usually comes right before a number.
Ele comprou um vinho de dez dólares.
He bought a ten dollar wine.
lit. He bought a wine of ten dollars.
Eles construíram um muro de dois metros.
They built a two meter wall.
lit. They built a wall of two meters.
Material:
To indicate what something is made of, use the preposition de:
Carla usa botas de couro.
Carla wears leather boots.
lit. Carla wears boots of leather.
It's also common to use de to refer to flavors of food, as in:
Luísa gosta de bolo de cenoura.
Luísa likes carrot cake.
Description:
Finally, de can be used to describe something or someone.
Este restaurante é de primeira qualidade.
This restaurant is top notch.
lit. This restaurant is of first quality.
Eu moro em uma casa de dois andares.
I live in a two-story house.
lit. I live in a house with two floors.
Pergunte à mulher de vestido azul.
Ask the woman in the blue dress.
Aquele homem de barba preta é meu pai.
That man with the black beard is my dad.
The preposition após means “after” in English. Após has the same meaning as the compound preposition depois de(after), but após is used in formal contexts.
Eles chegam após o meio dia.
They arrive after noon.
Ela estuda dia após dia.
She studies day after day.
The preposition com most commonly translates to “with.” Like “with” it can introduce a companion or another noun that accompanies the subject. For example:
Eu moro com minha mãe.
I live with my mother.
The preposition com is always contracted with the object pronouns mim(me), ti(you sing.), vós(you, pl. and formal), and nós(us), as in:
Você quer jantar comigo?
Do you want to have dinner with me?
Vamos viajar conosco?
Let's travel with us?
To see more about how com contracts with object pronouns in Brazilian Portuguese, take a look at this chart!
However, just like “with” in English, com has other functions as well. Let’s take a closer look!
To refer to an instrument used for an action:
Com can also be used with a noun to refer to an instrument used for the action of the verb:
Ele lavou as mãos com sabonete.
He washed his hands with soap.
O bebê come com a colher.
The baby eats with the spoon.
In informal Brazilian Portuguese, we often use the preposition de to refer to cutlery. So we could also say,
O bebê come de colher.
Notice, though, that we don’t keep the article when using de (compare: comer com a colher vs. comer de colher).
To indicate a manner of doing something:
The preposition com + noun can indicate the way in which the action is carried out:
Ele explicou a lição com paciência.
He explained the lesson with patience.
Sometimes, the preposition com + noun can be replaced with an adverb in Brazilian Portuguese. In the sentence above, it's possible to replace the expression com paciência with the adverb pacientemente(patiently), as in:
Ele explicou a lição pacientemente.
He explained the lesson patiently.
To indicate feelings or emotions expressed:
Com + noun can be used to describe someone’s emotional state:
Ele está com raiva do amigo.
He is mad at his friend.
Patrícia está com ciúmes de mim.
Patrícia is jealous of me.
To describe a temporary state or condition:
Com can also introduce nouns representing physiological and health conditions when it’s used with non-action verbs, such as estar(to be) and ficar(to stay, to get, to be).
As crianças estão com fome.
The children are hungry.
Pedro ficou com dor de cabeça.
Pedro got a headache.
The following two idiomatic expressions in Brazilian Portuguese use the preposition de, even though they describe temporary states:
Carlos está de dieta.
Carlos is on a diet.
Nós estamos de férias.
We are on vacation.
To refer to an intersection (intersecção) or junction (junção) of streets:
Com can be used with two street names in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to the intersection of these streets:
Ela mora na Avenida Rebouças com a Avenida Faria Lima.
She lives on Avenida Rebouças at the junction of Avenida Faria Lima.
To indicate an addition of something:
Com is also used in Brazilian Portuguese to describe the addition of an ingredient or the mix of ingredients together:
Os brasileiros comem arroz com feijão.
Brazilians eat rice and beans.
Você quer o café com açúcar?
Do you want the coffee with sugar?
The preposition sem(without) is the opposite of com(with), and it is typically used to express the absence of something or someone or to indicate the manner of the action when it accompanies a verb. Let’s see some examples.
To express the absence of something or someone:
Sem often expresses absence, just like the English word “without”:
O carro está sem gasolina.
The car is without gas.
Começaram o jantar sem mim.
They started the dinner without me.
In the last example, the the stressed object pronoun mim follows the preposition sem. The stressed form of an object pronoun will always be used after sem.
To indicate manner:
Sem can be used to indicate the manner of an action when it is followed by an infinitive verb:
Eles chegaram sem avisar.
They arrived without warning.
The preposition contra(against) is used to indicate opposition. Here are some of its different senses:
To indicate opposition against something or someone:
Contra is used to indicate an opposition or fight against someone or something:
Os estudantes fizeram uma manifestação contra o governo.
The students made a demonstration against the government.
O time mais fraco jogou contra o time mais forte.
The weaker team played against the stronger team.
To indicate an opposite direction:
Contra is also used when referring to the opposite direction from a point of reference:
Eles nadaram contra a maré.
They swam against the tide.
To indicate protection from or prevention of something:
Contra is also used to refer to a protection from or prevention of/against something:
Eu comprei um alarme contra incêndios.
I bought a fire alarm.
lit. I bought an alarm against fires.
Segundo means “according to,” and it is used in Brazilian Portuguese to express a point of view. In this case, segundo is typically followed by a noun.
Ela se veste segundo a moda.
She dresses according to fashion.
Segundo o gerente, o banco abre às 8h.
According to the manager, the bank opens at 8 am.
Many useful prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese are compound prepositions, which are prepositions composed of more than one word, such as a fim de(in order to) and acerca de(about). If you are curious to know some compound prepositions, don’t miss this chart with the main compound prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese and examples of each.
In Brazilian Portuguese, there are some verbs (like gostar, acostumar-se, and pensar) that are generally followed by a specific preposition. For example, the verb gostar(to like) is always followed by the preposition de, as in:
Você gosta de dançar?
Do you like to dance?
Here are a two more examples of verb-preposition pairs in Brazilian Portuguese:
Acostumar-se a(to get used to)
Eu me acostumei a acordar cedo.
I got used to waking up early.
Pensar em (to think about)
Estamos pensando em comprar um carro.
We are thinking about buying a car.
For a full list of useful and common verbs followed by prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese, check out this table!
There are also some verbs in Brazilian Portuguese that are not typically followed by a preposition because they are, instead, followed by another verb. In English, we generally need the word “to” between two verbs, but this is not the case in Brazilian Portuguese.
As crianças querem almoçar.
The children want to have lunch.
Eles precisam estudar.
They need to study.
In the sentences above the verbs querer(to want) and precisar(to need) are not followed by a preposition, but rather the verbs almoçar(to have lunch) and estudar(to study), respectively. For more verbs that are not typically followed by a preposition, check out this chart.
As you see in the phrase above, we don't need to use the preposition de after the verb precisar(to need) when it’s followed by another verb. However, when precisar is followed by a noun, we have to use the preposition de, as in:
Nós precisamos de água.
We need water.
In this post, we reviewed the most common prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese: a, em, de, após, com, sem, contra, and segundo, along with a few compound prepositions. We also took a quick look at verbs in Brazilian Portuguese that are typically followed by a preposition versus verbs that are generally followed by another verb instead.
If you’d like to review what you’ve read about here, check out this sheet with the most common uses of prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese. Otherwise, you can move on to practice using the common Brazilian Portuguese prepositions with these activities!
