Articles are small but essential words in any language, and Portuguese is no exception. They help define whether a noun is specific or general, singular or plural, and even masculine or feminine. For beginners learning Portuguese, understanding how to use articles correctly is a crucial step toward mastering the language. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of articles in Portuguese, their rules, and practical tips to help you use them with confidence.
1. What Are Articles?
Articles are words that come before nouns to indicate whether the noun is specific or general. In Portuguese, articles must agree with the gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) of the noun they modify. There are two types of articles in Portuguese:
- Definite Articles (artigos definidos): Used to refer to specific nouns.
- Indefinite Articles (artigos indefinidos): Used to refer to nonspecific nouns.
2. Definite Articles: Referring to Specific Nouns
Definite articles in Portuguese are equivalent to “the” in English. They are used when referring to a specific person, place, thing, or idea that is already known to the speaker and listener.
The definite articles in Portuguese are:
- o (masculine singular)
- a (feminine singular)
- os (masculine plural)
- as (feminine plural)
Examples:
- O carro é vermelho. (The car is red.)
- A casa é grande. (The house is big.)
- Os livros estão na mesa. (The books are on the table.)
- As flores são bonitas. (The flowers are beautiful.)
Tips for Beginners:
- Always match the article with the gender and number of the noun.
- Use definite articles when the noun is specific or has already been mentioned in the conversation.
3. Indefinite Articles: Referring to Nonspecific Nouns
Indefinite articles in Portuguese are equivalent to “a,” “an,” or “some” in English. They are used when referring to a nonspecific or unknown person, place, thing, or idea.
The indefinite articles in Portuguese are:
- um (masculine singular)
- uma (feminine singular)
- uns (masculine plural)
- umas (feminine plural)
Examples:
- Eu comprei um carro. (I bought a car.)
- Ela viu uma estrela. (She saw a star.)
- Uns amigos vieram me visitar. (Some friends came to visit me.)
- Umas flores foram entregues. (Some flowers were delivered.)
Tips for Beginners:
- Use indefinite articles when introducing something new or nonspecific.
- Remember that plural indefinite articles (uns, umas) are often used to mean “some” in English.
4. Gender and Number Agreement
One of the most important aspects of using articles in Portuguese is ensuring they agree with the gender and number of the noun. Portuguese nouns are either masculine or feminine, and articles must match this gender.
Masculine Nouns
Most masculine nouns end in -o, but there are exceptions.
- o livro (the book)
- um carro (a car)
Feminine Nouns
Most feminine nouns end in -a, but there are exceptions.
- a mesa (the table)
- uma casa (a house)
Plural Nouns
To make a noun plural, add -s to the end of the word, and use the corresponding plural article.
- Singular: o gato (the cat) → Plural: os gatos (the cats)
- Singular: uma flor (a flower) → Plural: umas flores (some flowers)
Tips for Beginners:
- Memorize the gender of nouns as you learn them.
- Pay attention to irregular plural forms, such as o pão (the bread) → os pães (the breads).
5. When to Omit Articles
In some cases, articles are omitted in Portuguese, even though they might be used in English. Here are a few common situations:
a) With Possessive Pronouns
When a possessive pronoun (e.g., meu, sua) is used, the article is optional in informal speech but often included in formal contexts.
- Informal: Minha casa é grande. (My house is big.)
- Formal: A minha casa é grande. (My house is big.)
b) With Certain Expressions
Articles are often omitted in fixed expressions or idiomatic phrases.
- Falar inglês (to speak English)
- Estudar medicina (to study medicine)
Tips for Beginners:
- Pay attention to context and listen to native speakers to understand when articles are omitted.
- In doubt, include the article—it’s better to overuse it than to leave it out incorrectly.
6. Contractions with Prepositions
In Portuguese, articles often combine with prepositions to form contractions. This is a common feature of the language and something beginners should practice.
Common Contractions:
- de + o = do (of the)
- de + a = da (of the)
- em + o = no (in the)
- em + a = na (in the)
- a + o = ao (to the)
- a + a = à (to the)
Examples:
- Eu gosto do filme. (I like the movie.)
- Ela está na escola. (She is at school.)
- Vamos ao parque. (Let’s go to the park.)
Tips for Beginners:
- Practice these contractions as they are used frequently in everyday speech.
- Learn them in context by studying common phrases and sentences.
7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
a) Using the Wrong Gender
Beginners often confuse the gender of nouns and use the wrong article.
- Incorrect: A carro é rápido. (The car is fast.)
- Correct: O carro é rápido. (The car is fast.)
b) Forgetting Plural Agreement
It’s easy to forget that articles, nouns, and adjectives must all agree in number.
- Incorrect: Os casa são bonitas. (The houses are beautiful.)
- Correct: As casas são bonitas. (The houses are beautiful.)
c) Overusing Articles
English speakers sometimes overuse articles in Portuguese, especially in expressions where they are not needed.
- Incorrect: Eu gosto de o futebol. (I like the soccer.)
- Correct: Eu gosto de futebol. (I like soccer.)
Tips for Beginners:
- Double-check gender and number agreement when writing or speaking.
- Listen to native speakers to develop a natural sense of when to use or omit articles.
Conclusion
Mastering articles in Portuguese is a fundamental step for beginners. By understanding the difference between definite and indefinite articles, practicing gender and number agreement, and learning common contractions, you’ll be able to use articles correctly and confidently. Remember, practice makes perfect—immerse yourself in Portuguese by reading, listening, and speaking as much as possible. With time and dedication, you’ll find that using articles becomes second nature.
