Understanding the Use of the Preposition “EM” in Brazilian Portuguese
In Brazilian Portuguese, prepositions are essential components of sentences, helping to connect words and clarify their relationships. One of the most commonly used prepositions is “em,” which translates to “in,” “on,” or “at” in English. Understanding how to use “em” correctly, as well as its contractions “no” and “na,” is crucial for achieving fluency. This article will provide a comprehensive explanation of these elements.
The Basics of “EM”
The preposition “em” is used to indicate location, time, and sometimes a state of being. Here are some of its primary uses:
Location:
- To specify where something or someone is located.
- Example: “Estou em casa.” (I am at home.)
Time:
- To denote when an event occurs.
- Example: “A festa é em agosto.” (The party is in August.)
Contractions with Definite Articles: “NO” and “NA”
When “em” is combined with the definite articles “o” (the, masculine) and “a” (the, feminine), contractions occur. These contractions make the language flow more naturally and are essential for proper grammar.
- EM + O = NO
- Used with masculine singular nouns.
- Example: “Ele está no carro.” (He is in the car.)
- EM + A = NA
- Used with feminine singular nouns.
- Example: “Ela está na escola.” (She is at school.)
- EM + OS = NOS
- Used with masculine plural nouns.
- Example: “Eles estão nos Estados Unidos.” (They are in the United States.)
- EM + AS = NAS
- Used with feminine plural nouns.
- Example: “As informações estão nas páginas.” (The information is on the pages.)
Examples and Usage
To further illustrate the use of “em,” “no,” and “na,” let’s look at a few more examples:
- Location:
- “O livro está no quarto.” (The book is in the room.)
- “As chaves estão na mesa.” (The keys are on the table.)
- “Ela está no trabalho.” (She is at work.)
- “O filme está na televisão.” (The movie is on TV.)
- Time:
- “Ele vai viajar no sábado.” (He is going to travel on Saturday.)
- “O encontro será na segunda-feira.” (The meeting will be on Monday.)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Avoiding Redundancy:
- Do not use “em” without contraction when it should be contracted.
- Incorrect: “Estou em o parque.” (I am in the park.)
- Correct: “Estou no parque.”
- Gender Agreement:
- Ensure the contraction agrees with the gender of the noun.
- Incorrect: “Estou na escritório.” (I am in the office.)
- Correct: “Estou no escritório.”
- Plural Nouns:
- Remember to use the correct plural forms “nos” and “nas.”
- Incorrect: “Os documentos estão no arquivos.” (The documents are in the files.)
- Correct: “Os documentos estão nos arquivos.”
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, try these practice exercises:
- Translate the sentences into Portuguese:
- She is at the restaurant.
- The children are in the park.
- The book is on the table.
- Correct the sentences:
- “Ele está na hospital.”
- “Os livros estão no estantes.”