Your Portuguese Learning Library. One Read at a Time.
Portuguese Essential Phrases for Everyday Conversations
Mastering Portuguese small talk is an essential step for anyone learning the language. It’s not just about exchanging words—it’s about building confidence,…
Nasal Sounds in Portuguese
Nasal sounds are one of the most distinctive and challenging aspects of learning Portuguese. These unique sounds are a hallmark of the…
Most Prominent Sound in European Portuguese
The /ʃ/ sound (as in shine) is arguably the most prominent sound in European Portuguese. In fact, it’s often cited as one…
10 Portuguese Idioms with the Verb “Ficar”
The Portuguese verb “ficar” is incredibly versatile, typically meaning “get” or “become.” But that’s just the beginning! I’m here to show you…
Adjectives vs Adverbs: What’s the Difference?
When learning Portuguese, a common source of confusion is understanding the difference between adjectives and adverbs. Both play crucial roles in the…
Impersonal “-se” in Portuguese
You probably think of “se” as the Portuguese equivalent of “if,” and rightly so: Se eu pudesse… = If I could… Also,…
Há vs. Por vs. Durante
Portuguese students often struggle with when to use “há”, “por”, or “durante” to express time duration. Let’s break it down into four…
Sounds vs Spellings in Portuguese
Let’s talk about the relationship between spellings and spoken sounds. Portuguese, like many languages, isn’t a case of “what you see is…
10 Portuguese Idioms with Fazer
Portuguese is brimming with idioms, and “fazer” (to do/make) pops up in many of them. Here are 10 common idioms with “fazer”…
Portuguese Subject Pronouns
I, you, she, he, it, we, they. These are all subject pronouns and you are about to learn what they look like…
Master the Verb Dar with 10 Portuguese Idioms
Forget about translating every word literally! Portuguese is full of idiomatic gems, and the verb “dar” (to give) might just be the…
Portuguese Verb Andar
While the Portuguese verb “andar” seems ordinary, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Often, “andar” takes on different meanings beyond…
Past Continuous Equivalent in Portuguese
The Portuguese equivalent of the English Past Continuous is analogous to the Present Continuous Equivalent in Portuguese. The only difference is that…
Portuguese Digraphs
Digraphs are two letters coming together to represent a single sound. Today, we’ll explore seven digraphs common in Portuguese and the sounds…
Learning Portuguese: Do I Need to Become a Grammar Geek?
Do you need to become a grammar guru to speak Portuguese fluently? Here’s the truth: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer! Ultimately, the best…
Portugal’s Dialects
Portugal boasts a linguistic tapestry as diverse as its landscapes. Let’s explore the charming quirks and phonetic particularities of its dialects starting from…
Portuguese Defective Verbs
Defective verbs are verbs with incomplete conjugation. For instance, Portuguese defective verbs are only conjugated in the third 3-person (singular or plural)….
Common Mistakes Portuguese Learners Make
Learning a new language is an exciting journey filled with new sounds, cultural insights, and the thrill of unlocking communication in a…