A1 Portuguese GrammarPersonal Pronouns
Learn the basic Portuguese personal pronouns (eu, tu, ele, ela, nós, vós, eles, elas) and how to use them in simple sentences. Portuguese distinguishes between European and Brazilian forms, with tu being common in Portugal and você in Brazil.
1Subject Pronouns
Portuguese has seven subject pronouns. Unlike English, subject pronouns are often omitted because verb endings indicate the subject. However, they are used for emphasis or clarity. Note that você (you, formal) uses third-person verb forms.
Portuguese Subject Pronouns
| Person | Portuguese | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1st singular | eu | I |
| 2nd singular (informal) | tu | you |
| 2nd singular (formal) | você | you |
| 3rd singular masc. | ele | he |
| 3rd singular fem. | ela | she |
| 1st plural | nós | we |
| 2nd plural (formal) | vocês | you (plural) |
| 3rd plural masc. | eles | they (masc.) |
| 3rd plural fem. | elas | they (fem.) |
Examples
Eu sou estudante.
I am a student.
eu for emphasis
Tu falas português?
Do you speak Portuguese?
tu (informal you, Portugal)
Ele mora em Lisboa.
He lives in Lisbon.
ele for he
Elas trabalham juntas.
They (fem.) work together.
elas for all-female group
2Tu vs Você
In European Portuguese, tu is the informal 'you' used with friends and family. Você is more formal or distant. In Brazilian Portuguese, você is common in everyday speech. Both take different verb conjugations: tu uses second-person forms, while você uses third-person forms.
Tu vs Você Comparison
| Form | Usage | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| tu | informal (Portugal) | 2nd person | Tu és português. |
| você | formal/Brazil | 3rd person | Você é brasileiro. |
| o senhor | very formal (masc.) | 3rd person | O senhor é médico? |
| a senhora | very formal (fem.) | 3rd person | A senhora quer café? |
Examples
Tu queres um café?
Do you want a coffee? (informal)
tu + 2nd person verb
Você quer um café?
Do you want a coffee? (formal)
você + 3rd person verb
O senhor fala inglês?
Do you speak English, sir?
very formal address
A senhora é a professora?
Are you the teacher, ma'am?
formal feminine address
3Pronoun Omission
Portuguese often drops subject pronouns because verb endings clearly show the subject. The pronoun is included for emphasis, contrast, or when the subject is ambiguous. This is called a 'pro-drop' language feature.
With and Without Pronouns
| With Pronoun | Without Pronoun | English |
|---|---|---|
| Eu falo português. | Falo português. | I speak Portuguese. |
| Nós comemos bem. | Comemos bem. | We eat well. |
| Eles vivem aqui. | Vivem aqui. | They live here. |
| Tu tens tempo? | Tens tempo? | Do you have time? |
Examples
Trabalho num banco.
I work at a bank.
pronoun omitted (verb shows eu)
Eu trabalho, mas ela não.
I work, but she doesn't.
pronoun for contrast
Somos de Portugal.
We are from Portugal.
-mos ending shows nós
Quem é? Sou eu!
Who is it? It's me!
eu for identification
4Gender in Plural Pronouns
Portuguese distinguishes gender in third-person plural pronouns. Use eles for all-male or mixed groups, and elas for all-female groups. For first and second person, nós and vocês are gender-neutral.
Gendered Plurals
| Group Composition | Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| all male | eles | Eles são professores. |
| mixed group | eles | Eles são amigos. |
| all female | elas | Elas são professoras. |
| things (masc.) | eles | Os livros? Eles são bons. |
Examples
Os rapazes? Eles estão na escola.
The boys? They are at school.
eles for masculine group
Maria e Ana? Elas são irmãs.
Maria and Ana? They are sisters.
elas for all-female group
João e Maria? Eles são casados.
João and Maria? They are married.
eles for mixed group
As cadeiras? Elas são novas.
The chairs? They are new.
elas agrees with fem. noun