If you’ve ever said:
Estou em o café ❌
…you’re very close, but not quite right.
This is a common beginner step in European Portuguese, and once you understand it, it becomes automatic.
The Core Idea
You already know:
👉 EM = where you are 📍
But now we add something new:
👉 Some words need an article (o / a)
And when that happens:
- em + o = no
- em + a = na
Watch the Video How to Use NO and NA
Simple Examples from the video
- Estou em casa (no article)
- Estou na sala (with article)
- Estou no sofá (with article)
- O João e o Miguel estão em Tavira (no article)
- Eles estão no café (with article)
Common Mistakes
👉 A very common mistake is trying to separate the words:
- ❌ Estou em o café
- ❌ Estou em a sala
👉 In Portuguese, we don’t say it like this.
Instead, we combine them:
- ✅ Estou no café
- ✅ Estou na sala
👉 Another common mistake is forgetting the article:
- ❌ Estou em sala
- ❌ Estou em sofá
👉 These words need an article:
- ✅ Estou na sala
- ✅ Estou no sofá
Quick Practice
Copy these into a notebook and complete the sentences:
Estou ________ sala.
Estou ________ sofá.
O João está ________ café.
Estou _________ casa.
Want to take your learning even further? 📚 Get access to the exclusive PDF with written exercises, vocabulary lists, and extra practice by purchasing it on Patreon. Or, join the Bacalhau com Natas tier to unlock interactive materials and boost your learning!
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Not a member yet? Not a member yet? 👉 Find out how
👉 PDF file (one-time purchase through Patreon)
👉 Interactive Exercises (Monthly Bacalhau com Natas membership on Patreon)
Até já! 🇵🇹