A1 Portuguese GrammarArticles (Definite & Indefinite)
Understand when to use Portuguese definite articles (o, a, os, as) and indefinite articles (um, uma, uns, umas). Learn how articles agree with noun gender and number, and discover unique Portuguese usage patterns.
1Definite Articles
Portuguese has four definite articles: o (masc. sing.), a (fem. sing.), os (masc. pl.), and as (fem. pl.). They correspond to 'the' in English but must agree with the noun's gender and number. Portuguese uses articles more frequently than English.
Portuguese Definite Articles
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | o | a |
| Plural | os | as |
Examples
O livro está na mesa.
The book is on the table.
o + masculine singular noun
A casa é grande.
The house is big.
a + feminine singular noun
Os rapazes jogam futebol.
The boys play football.
os + masculine plural noun
As flores são bonitas.
The flowers are beautiful.
as + feminine plural noun
2Indefinite Articles
Indefinite articles in Portuguese are um (masc. sing.), uma (fem. sing.), uns (masc. pl.), and umas (fem. pl.). Unlike English, Portuguese has plural indefinite articles meaning 'some' or 'a few'.
Portuguese Indefinite Articles
| Masculine | Feminine | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | um | uma |
| Plural | uns | umas |
Examples
Tenho um carro novo.
I have a new car.
um + masculine singular
Ela comprou uma saia.
She bought a skirt.
uma + feminine singular
Há uns livros na estante.
There are some books on the shelf.
uns = some (masc.)
Preciso de umas canetas.
I need some pens.
umas = some (fem.)
3Articles with Names and Places
Portuguese uses definite articles before personal names in informal speech, though this is more common in Brazil. Articles are required before most country names and many city names. Some place names never take articles.
Articles with Places
| With Article | Without Article |
|---|---|
| o Brasil | Portugal |
| a França | Angola |
| os Estados Unidos | Moçambique |
| o Porto | Lisboa |
Examples
A Maria é minha amiga.
Maria is my friend.
article before name (informal)
Vou ao Brasil.
I'm going to Brazil.
a + o = ao (contraction)
Ele é de Portugal.
He is from Portugal.
no article with Portugal
Moro no Porto.
I live in Porto.
em + o = no (contraction)
4Contractions with Prepositions
Definite and indefinite articles contract with common prepositions like de (of/from), em (in/on), a (to), and por (by/through). These contractions are mandatory and must be memorized.
Common Contractions
| Preposition | + o | + a | + os | + as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| de | do | da | dos | das |
| em | no | na | nos | nas |
| a | ao | Ã | aos | Ã s |
| por | pelo | pela | pelos | pelas |
Examples
O livro do professor.
The teacher's book.
de + o = do
Estou na escola.
I am at school.
em + a = na
Vou ao cinema.
I'm going to the cinema.
a + o = ao
Passei pela praça.
I passed through the square.
por + a = pela