Lessons and examples of prepositions in European Portuguese, showing how words like em, de, para, com and por are used to express place, direction, time and relationships between ideas.
You now know how to use a and para. But when do we use one and not the other? Let’s keep it simple. The Core Idea 👉 A = simple movement 👉 PARA = destination + intention or a longer stay Both can mean “to” in English, but Portuguese often makes a distinction. A PARA … Read more
If you’ve ever said vou em Lisboa or estou a casa, you’re not alone.Prepositions of movement are one of the first confusing areas in European Portuguese. In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to express movement clearly using simple structures like ir a, ir para, and more. This post brings together all A0 lessons on … Read more
If you’ve learned “a” already, you might be wondering: 👉 When do I use “para” instead? Let’s keep it simple. The Core Idea 👉 PARA = destination + intention Use it when: Watch the Video How to Use PARA in European Portuguese (Simple Beginner Guide) Simple Examples Common Mistakes 👉 A common mistake is using … Read more
If you’ve ever said: Vou a o supermercado ❌ …you’re very close. This is the next step after learning “a” in Portuguese, and it’s actually very simple. The Core Idea You already know: 👉 A = where you are going But when the word has an article: Watch the Video How to Use AO and … Read more
If you’ve ever said: Estou em o cafĂ© ❌ …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 đź“Ť But now we add something new: 👉 Some words … Read more
Have you ever said something like: …and felt unsure if it was correct? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Beginners often get em and a mixed up, but the solution is simpler than you might think. The Core Idea That’s your anchor. Start here. Think of em as the location pin and a as an arrow … Read more
These two Portuguese structures, Estar a fazer vs andar a fazer, don’t exactly mean the same thing. If you’re learning European Portuguese, you’ve probably seen both of these: They both look like “to be doing” in English. But they are not interchangeable. And if you use them randomly, you’ll sound slightly… off. Let’s fix that … Read more
Portuguese prepositions can be tricky, especially when several expressions seem to mean “below” or “under.” In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between debaixo, por baixo, and abaixo and how to use them naturally in European Portuguese. We’ll break down each expression with clear explanations, practical examples, and common mistakes learners make. In this grammar-focused … Read more
Portuguese prepositions can be tricky, especially when several expressions seem to mean “above” or “over.” In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between acima, em cima, and por cima and how to use them naturally in European Portuguese. We’ll break down each expression with clear explanations, practical examples, and common mistakes learners make. In this … Read more
What’s the difference between acima, em cima and por cima? Portuguese prepositions can feel a bit like a maze when you’re learning – especially ones that all seem to mean the same thing! In this video, we’ll unpack the difference between these with the help of a very natural, unscripted conversation between me (a native … Read more