B1 Portuguese GrammarTwo-Way Prepositions
Master Portuguese prepositions for location and direction. Learn when to use 'em' vs 'para/a', 'sobre' for surfaces, and how verbs determine whether prepositions express static location or movement to a destination.
Practice in interactive stories
With instant translation and audio
1Location vs Direction Prepositions
Portuguese uses 'em' (in/on/at) for location and 'para/a' for direction. 'Em' contracts with articles: em + o = no, em + a = na. 'Para' indicates destination, while 'a' suggests brief movement. The verb type helps clarify meaning.
Location vs Direction
| Location (em) | Direction (para/a) | English |
|---|---|---|
| na casa | para casa | in/to the house |
| no Brasil | para o Brasil | in/to Brazil |
| em Lisboa | a Lisboa | in/to Lisbon |
| na mesa | para a mesa | on/to the table |
Examples
Estou em Lisboa.
I am in Lisbon.
em = location
Vou para Lisboa.
I go to Lisbon.
para = direction
O livro está na mesa.
The book is on the table.
em + a = na (location)
Ponha o livro na mesa.
Put the book on the table.
same prep for placement
2The Preposition 'Em' (In/On/At)
'Em' is the main locative preposition, covering 'in', 'on', and 'at'. It contracts with articles: no/na/nos/nas (em + o/a/os/as), neste/nesta (em + este). Use 'em' for cities, countries, and surfaces in location contexts.
Em Contractions
| Em + | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|
| o | no | no carro |
| a | na | na escola |
| este | neste | neste momento |
| aquele | naquele | naquele lugar |
Examples
Moro no Brasil.
I live in Brazil.
em + o = no
Trabalho numa empresa.
I work in a company.
em + uma = numa
O gato está na cadeira.
The cat is on the chair.
na for surface
Estamos na reunião.
We are in the meeting.
na for event
3Para vs A (Direction)
Both 'para' and 'a' express direction, but 'para' implies a longer stay or permanent move, while 'a' suggests a brief visit. With motion verbs, this distinction is important. Brazilian Portuguese favors 'para' over 'a'.
Para vs A
| Para (longer) | A (brief) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Vou para o Brasil | Vou ao Brasil | permanent vs trip |
| Mudei para Lisboa | Fui a Lisboa | move vs visit |
| Leva para casa | Vai a casa | take vs go briefly |
Examples
Mudei para Portugal.
I moved to Portugal.
para = permanent
Fui ao médico.
I went to the doctor.
a + o = ao (brief visit)
Vou para o trabalho.
I go to work.
para for destination
Vai à festa?
Are you going to the party?
a + a = à (event)
4Coming From: De
'De' expresses origin or movement from. It contracts with articles: do/da/dos/das. Use 'de' with cities and countries for origin, and with places for 'from'. 'De' also shows possession and material origin.
De Contractions
| De + | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|
| o | do | do Brasil |
| a | da | da cidade |
| este | deste | deste país |
| aquele | daquele | daquele lugar |
Examples
Venho do Brasil.
I come from Brazil.
de + o = do
Sou de Lisboa.
I am from Lisbon.
de for origin
Saio da escola.
I leave school.
da = de + a
Ela vem do trabalho.
She comes from work.
vir de = come from
Practice Exercises
5 exercises
'I am going to my grandmother's house': Vou ___ casa da minha avó.
'I go to the supermarket' (brief visit): Vou ___ supermercado.
'She lay in bed': Ela ficou ___ cama.
'He moved to a new city': Ele mudou-se ___ uma nova cidade.
'I come from Brazil': Venho ___ Brasil.
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
Practice with B1 Stories
Apply what you learned in interactive stories with instant translations.
Browse B1 Stories