Prepositions 'De' vs 'Em' in Portuguese: Talking About Means of Transport

Report a problem

Your Go-To Resource for All Things Portuguese

Portuguesepedia began as a blog for Portuguese language learners, and Articles carry on that legacy. From detailed guides on Portuguese grammar and pronunciation to inspirational tips and insights, Articles cover everything you need to master the language.

Written in English, these articles often link to related Lessons (on topics like grammar and pronunciation) and connect you to other articles on similar subjects for deeper exploration.

Start exploring Articles today and dive into a wealth of knowledge!

Try Lessons

Articles

A Wealth of Articles on Everything Related to Learning Portuguese

Hello Beginners!

Learn Portuguese on your own terms

Learn more

Portuguese Verb Gems

An exploration of idiomatically rich verbs

Learn more

The BIG 5

The bread & butter of Portuguese prepositions

Learn more

Portuguese Sounds

Because pronunciation matters

Learn more

Portuguese Bad Words

Let me take you on an indecorous journey

Learn more

Perfect vs. Imperfect

Break free from the tyranny of the Present tense

Learn more

StoryLift

Let stories lift your Portuguese to another level

Learn more

Grab your guide 'Key Strategies' – Essential principles that will forever transform the way you learn Portuguese. Get it for FREE!

Share this article

In Portuguese, ‘de’ is used for general references to means of transport, while ’em’ is used for specific instances. Remember, ‘de’ remains in its basic form, while ’em’ contracts with definite articles and other determiners. Let’s take a few examples.

Lesson #39 Preposition De - Portuguesepedia

Lesson #14 Preposition of place em - Portuguesepedia

Example 1

Hoje vou de carro para o trabalho.
I’m driving to work today.

as opposed to,

Hoje vou no carro do meu irmão para o trabalho.
Today I’m going to work in my brother’s car. (Not just any car.)

Example 2

O Felipe foi de metro para o aeroporto.
Felipe took the metro to the airport.

as opposed to,

O Felipe foi no metro da linha azul para o aeroporto.
Felipe took the Blue Line metro to the airport. (Not just any metro.)

Example 3

Amanhã vamos de barco até Porto Santo.
Tomorrow we’re going by boat to Porto Santo.

as opposed to,

Amanhã vamos no barco das 8h até Porto Santo.
Tomorrow we’ll take the 8 am boat to Porto Santo. (Not just any boat.)

Share this article

Learning Portuguese takes time, but I make sure it’s worth it. No fluff, just solid materials to keep you motivated. And yes, it’s all by me—Pedro, by the way. Stay tuned!

Become a Member

Claim your FREE guide: Key Insights for Learning Portuguese and take the first step towards fluency today.

I struggled with learning Portuguese for years. Textbooks were overwhelming and conversation classes felt intimidating. Then I found Portuguesepedia! Pedro's clear explanations and engaging video lessons finally made things click.

~ Olivia ~

Pedro's infectious enthusiasm make me laugh while I learn. If you're looking for a fun and effective way to learn Portuguese, Portuguesepedia is the answer.

~ Maria ~

One of the things I appreciate most about Portuguesepedia is the platform's focus on grammar. Pedro's explanations are clear and concise, and the Portuguese-English comparisons make even complex grammar concepts easy to understand. Incredibly helpful.

~ Giulia ~

Let's be honest, learning a new language can feel overwhelming. But this platform has changed my experience. The platform's variety of resources keeps me engaged and motivated.

~ Liam ~

Pedro's dedication to teaching Portuguese shines through every aspect of Portuguesepedia. His passion for the language is contagious and it's evident that he pours his heart and soul into creating engaging and effective lessons.

~ Eba ~

What I love most about Portuguesepedia is the variety of resources available, from video lessons and audiobooks to idiomatic dips and listening drills. It's a holistic approach to language learning that caters to all learning styles.

~ Emely ~

Portuguesepedia proved to be an effective way to learn Portuguese. With Pedro's guidance and the platform's extensive resources (and of course with your determination and persistence), you'll sooner or later be speaking Portuguese.

~ James ~

Pedro's teaching style is not only informative but also incredibly engaging, making it easy to stay motivated and focused. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, Portuguesepedia has a great variety of content and formats that offer something for everyone.

~ Jade ~