Basic Prepositions: Learn to use common Portuguese prepositions and their function in a sentence.

Prepositions are words that establish a relationship between different parts of a sentence. They indicate location, direction, time, and other relationships. In this guide, we will cover common Portuguese prepositions and their usage in sentences.

1. Introduction to Prepositions

Prepositions are essential for expressing ideas clearly and accurately in Portuguese. They are usually placed before nouns or pronouns to indicate their relationship with other words in the sentence. Let's start with some commonly used prepositions:

• de - of, from
• para - for, to
• em - in, on, at
• com - with
• por - by, for, through
• sem - without

2. Usage of Prepositions

Preposition "de"

The preposition "de" is used to indicate possession, origin, or material. Here are some examples:

• Eu sou aluno de inglês. (I am a student of English.)
• Ele é de Portugal. (He is from Portugal.)
• A casa é feita de madeira. (The house is made of wood.)

Preposition "para"

The preposition "para" is used to indicate destination, purpose, or intention. Here are some examples:

• Eu vou para o trabalho. (I am going to work.)
• Este presente é para você. (This gift is for you.)
• Ela estudou bastante para o exame. (She studied a lot for the exam.)

Preposition "em"

The preposition "em" is used to indicate location, time, or means of transportation. Here are some examples:

• Eu moro em São Paulo. (I live in São Paulo.)
• Nós vamos nos encontrar em uma hora. (We will meet in an hour.)
• Ele viajou em um avião. (He traveled by plane.)

Preposition "com"

The preposition "com" is used to indicate accompaniment or the use of something. Here are some examples:

• Eu saí com meus amigos. (I went out with my friends.)
• Eu vou cozinhar com essa panela. (I will cook with this pot.)
• Ele trabalha com computadores. (He works with computers.)

Preposition "por"

The preposition "por" is used to indicate a motive or cause, means, or duration. Here are some examples:

• Ele fez isso por amor. (He did it out of love.)
• Eu viajo por avião. (I travel by plane.)
• Nós ficamos lá por duas semanas. (We stayed there for two weeks.)

Preposition "sem"

The preposition "sem" is used to indicate absence or lack of something. Here are some examples:

• Eu vou sair sem ela. (I will go out without her.)
• Nós não podemos viver sem água. (We cannot live without water.)
• Ele terminou o projeto sem ajuda. (He finished the project without help.)

3. Summary

Prepositions play a crucial role in Portuguese sentences, providing clarity and indicating relationships between elements. In this guide, we learned about common prepositions like "de," "para," "em," "com," "por," and "sem," their meanings, and how they are used in sentences.

Remember, the best way to master prepositions is through practice, so make sure to use them in your own sentences and conversations. Keep learning and using prepositions, and you'll become more fluent in Portuguese!