Portuguese Grammar > Prepositions
Prepositions
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Simple PrepositionsCompound Prepositions
Prepositional Contractions
Portuguese Grammar > Prepositions > Simple Prepositions
Simple Prepositions
These are words used before nouns or pronouns to show their relation to other words in the sentence.
| Preposition | Translation |
|---|---|
| a | to, at, toward |
| de | of, from |
| em | in, on |
| para | to, for |
| por | for, by, through |
| com | with |
| sem | without |
| ante | before |
| após | after |
| até | until |
| desde | since |
| durante | during |
| entre | between |
| trás | behind |
| contra | against |
| sobre | above, about |
| sob | below, under |
Notes:
The difference between para and por:
POR
- looks back to the origin of an action, answering the question "what is the reason"
Ele vai-se por estar doente - He is leaving because he is ill - is used when expressing movement through, or via
Eu passo-te o livro pela (por + a") janela - I'll pass you the book through the window - is used when referring to numbers, such as cost or duration
Dei lhe 20 por um libro - I gave him 20 for the book
- looks forward to its ultimate purpose, meaning in order to or so as
Falo baixo para não ser ouvido - I speak quietly so as not to be heard - implies direction or destination
Seguimos para África - We continued for Africa - indicates intentions
Estou para sair - I am just about to go out
Portuguese Grammar > Prepositions > Compound Prepositions
Compound Prepositions
These are combinations of words that act as a prepositional phrase.
| Preposition | Translation |
|---|---|
| abaixo de | below, under |
| debaixo de | below, under |
| embaixo de | under |
| em cima de | above, on |
| acima de | on top of |
| acerca de | about, concerning |
| a despeito de | regardless of |
| por causa de | on account of |
| cerca de | near |
| acerca de | near to |
| perto de | near |
| junto de | near |
| junto a | near |
| a pé de | near |
| a fora de | out of |
| em vez de | in place of |
| além de | beyond |
| antes de | before |
| depois de | after |
| ao longo de | along |
| junto com | along, with |
| a par de | beside |
| aquém de | this side of |
| á roda de | around |
| a pesar de | in spite of |
| trás de | behind |
| atrás de | behind |
| por detrás de | behind |
| dentro de | within, inside |
| através de | through |
| a partir de | from |
| vindo de | from, since |
| a fim de | at the end |
Portuguese Grammar > Prepositions > Prepositional Contractions
Prepositional Contractions
Many prepositions contract with other words.
| de | em | a | por | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| o a os as |
do da dos das |
no na nos nas |
ao à dos das |
pelo pela pelos pelas |
| um uma uns umas |
dum duma duns dumas |
num numa nuns numas |
||
| ele ela eles elas |
dele dela deles delas |
nele nela neles nelas |
||
| este esta estes estas |
deste desta destes destas |
neste nesta nestes nestas |
||
| esse essa esses essas |
desse dessa deesses dessas |
nesse nessa nesses nessas |
||
| aquele aquela aqueles aquelas |
daquele daquela daqueles daquelas |
naquele naquela naqueles naquelas |
àquele àquela àqueles àquelas |
|
| isto isso aquilo |
disto disso daquilo |
nisto nisso naquilo |
Pronouns are contracted when used with the preposition com (with):
| com | |
|---|---|
| mim | comigo |
| ti | contigo |
| nós | connosco |
| vós | convosco |
| si | consigo |
In colloquial speak, the definite articles and para are usually contracted:
| para | |
|---|---|
| o a os as |
prò, pro prà, pra pròs, pros pràs, pras |