Brazilian verbs

In the Portuguese language there are both regular and irregular verbs just like in the English language. You will see the same verb being used with multiple meanings and then, as in the list below, multiple verbs can be used to express the same action. It just depends on the context in which the verb is used in the sentence. The verb - tocar from below also means - to touch.

The following below represent the verb - to play:

 

  1. Jogar = video games
  2. brincar = at the playground
  3. tocar = a musical instrument

Verbs are conjugated (ending of the verb is changed to match the current tense) into three groups - ar, er and ir. The most common verbs are from the ar group. The Portuguese Language is very complex compared to the English Language. It has more forms of conjugation among other things but, I am going to try to keep this as simple as I can. The stem of the verb + ar, er, or ir = the infinitive. Lets look at this verb as an example -falar (the infinitive)
Instead of having to remember every verb tense in the language, I created this "My Conjugation Formula" to help me when I need to conjugate a verb. Note that this only works with regular verbs. For irregular verbs you are just going to have to remember them. These are for the simple tenses.

 

Note: all groups below are followed by the stem and also ifi = the infinitive

 

(My Conjugation Formula)
Ar groups I You We They
Present o a amos am
Past ei ou amos ifi + am
Future ifi + ei ifi + á ifi + emos ifi + ão

 

Er groups I You We They
Present o e emos em
Past i eu emos ifi + am
Future ifi + ei ifi + á ifi + emos ifi + ão

 

Ir groups I You We They
Present o e imos em
Past i iu imos ifi + am
Future ifi + ei ifi + á ifi + emos ifi + ão

 

Lets use the verb - falar (to speak) below as an example-

 

  • stem (fal) + o = falo = I speak (Present)
  • infinitive (ifi) + ei = Eu falarei = I will speak (future)

The other future tense in Portuguese, which is used often, is called "The compound form". It is used by taking the verb - to go and combining it with the infinitive. Take a look at my diagram below:

 

Pronoun Verb (to go)   Example
Eu = I Vou = am going   Eu vou falar = I am going to speak
Você = You Vai = are going   Você vai falar = You are going to speak
Nós = we vamos = are going   Nós vamos falar = We are going to speak
Eles = They Vão = are going   Eles vão falar = They are going to speak

 

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The Portuguese language uses a similar tense as the English language called - "The Continuous tense". It is formed by adding ndo to the end of the stem just like in English when you add the ing. An interesting fact to remember is that it does not matter if the verb is irregular. All verbs in Portuguese use this method of conjugation for the Continuous Tense.

Take the verb: falar (to speak) - r = fala. Now just add: ndo = falando (speaking)...Easy enough?

 

If you want to tell someone to do something, you would use the "Command tense" or as it is sometimes called "subjunctive". It is formed by taking the stem and adding a few letters to the end. I will use a diagram again below to explain how this tense is formed:

 

Stem (fal) Command You (2nd person) They (3rd person) Example
Ar groups Speak Stem + em Stem + e Fale = You speak
Er, Ir groups Speak Stem + am Stem + a Falam = You guys speak

 

Lastly, there is one more tense I will try to explain for you. This one is called the "Conditional tense". It is formed by taking the infinitive and adding:

 

Pronoun Infinitive +   Example
Eu = I Falar ia = Eu falaria = I would speak
Você = You Falar ia = Você falaria = You would speak
Nós = We Falar íamos = Nós falaríamos = We would speak
Eles = They Falar iam = Eles falariam = They would speak

 

Now I will leave you with my list of verbs. Click on a link below to see the latest update of verbs (please note that I try to update the list as often as my time will allow me). If you'd like, use the "My Conjugation Formula" from above to practice conjugating verbs from the list. Also a site worthy of mention is Sonia's verb conjugations.

 

Verb List

 

 
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