The definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese are o, a, os, and as, which all mean “the.” Like “the” in English, these articles are used before nouns that are specific and familiar to the audience. For example:
- o meninoTranslation: the boya specific boy that you’re already familiar with
- o jogoTranslation: the gamea specific game that you’re already familiar with
In this post, we’ll go over all the rules for using these definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese. We’ll go over when to use each form and discuss situations where the definite article is required, optional, or omitted. You’ll see that the rules for using “the” are not exactly the same in Brazilian Portuguese as they are in English. Read on to learn more!
What are the definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese?
The definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese are o, a, os, as meaning the. The form of the definite article will depend on the gender (masculine and feminine) and number (singular and plural) of the following noun — the two must agree. This is why there are four equivalents for the definite article in Brazilian Portuguese, whereas English only has one: “the.”
| Number | Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | o meaning the o cachorro Translation: the dog | a meaning the a galinha Translation: the chicken |
| Plural | os meaning the os olhos Translation: the eyes | as meaning the as fotos Translation: the pictures |
When are definite articles used in Brazilian Portuguese?
In general, definite articles are used before nouns that are specific and familiar. This usually means that you’ll use them before a specific noun that has already been mentioned in a conversation.
- O cachorro do vizinho chama-se Sansão.Translation: The neighbor’s dog is called Sansão.Literally: The dog of the neighbor is called Sansão.A specific dog and a specific neighbor.
- Eu assisti a um filme ontem. O filme era de terror.Translation: I watched a movie yesterday. The film was a horror movie.A specific film that has already been mentioned.
- O café veio da Colômbia.Translation: The coffee is from Colombia.This specific coffee was already mentioned, and Colombia is a specific place.
As you can see, in most cases, the use of the definite article lined up with where you would use “the” in English. But did you notice that there was a definite article before “Colombia” in Brazilian Portuguese? In English, we don’t have an article there!
In the next few sections we’ll go through some specific places where you’ll need to use definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese, and some of them may come as a surprise! Let’s have a look.
When to use definite articles with countries, oceans, rivers, and mountains
In Brazilian Portuguese, we use definite articles before the names of most countries and before the names of oceans, rivers, and mountains. Notice that this can lead to some differences with English!
| Countries | a Itália meaning Italy |
|---|---|
| Oceans | o Atlântico meaning the Atlantic |
| Rivers | o rio Missouri meaning the Missouri River |
| Mountains | o monte Quilimanjaro meaning Mount Kilimanjaro |
Here are some examples in sentences:
- O Brasil é 206 vezes maior que a Suíça.Translation: Brazil is 206 times bigger than Switzerland.
- O monte Everest é a montanha mais alta do mundo.Translation: Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
The definite article is used here because these are the names of specific locations.
When to use definite articles before a title?
The definite article is used before titles that indicate a person’s qualifications or that indicate simple respect, whenever you are talking about someone in the third person.
- O presidente Arnaldo deu uma entrevista para um canal de TV brasileiro.Translation: President Arnaldo gave an interview to a Brazilian TV channel.
- Ontem, vi o senhor Douglas na padaria.Translation: Yesterday, I saw Mr. Douglas in the bakery.
However, the definite article is not used when directly addressing a doctor, a professor, the president, etc.
Using definite articles with dates, directions, and times of year
Definite articles are when giving dates, describing cardinal directions, or describing the time of year more often in Brazilian Portuguese than they are in English.
We use definite articles before days of the week:
- Começo a trabalhar na segunda.Translation: I start working on Monday.Date; em meaning in + a meaning the = na
- Vou ao cinema com meus amigos às sextas.Translation: I go to the cinema with my friends on Fridays.Date; a meaning on + as meaning the = às
We use definite articles before seasons, holidays, and other times of year:
- Minha estação preferida é a primavera.Translation: My favorite season is spring.time of year
- Carolina adora o Natal.Translation: Carolina loves Christmas.holiday
We use them when giving the exact date:
No Brasil, o verão começa no dia 21 de dezembro.Translation: In Brazil, summer starts on the 21st of December.em meaning on + o meaning the = noCheck out our post on saying the date in Brazilian Portuguese to learn more!
We use them before cardinal directions:
A minha cidade fica no sul do Brasil.Translation: My city is located in the south of Brazil.em meaning in + o meaning the = no
Using definite articles before the time of day
The definite article in Brazilian Portuguese is also used to tell the time in Brazilian Portuguese or to indicate a specific time of day.
→ a meaning to + as meaning the = às meaning to the
When to use definite articles before the names of languages?
In Brazilian Portuguese, we generally use definite articles before the names of languages.
However, we don’t use a definite article with languages if we’re using the verbs falar meaning to speak, saber meaning to know, entender meaning understand, ensinar meaning to teach, or estudar meaning to study:
When to use the definite article after ‘todo/toda/todos/todas’ and ‘ambos/ambas’?
Use the definite article after todo/toda/todos/todas meaning all/entire when it comes before a noun:
However, when todo/toda/todos/todas does not come before a noun, the article is not needed.
The word ambos/ambas meaning both is always used before a noun that has a definite article:
Using definite articles with nouns formed from another part of speech
Use a definite article in Brazilian Portuguese when a different part of speech, such as an adjective, is transformed into a noun.
In the example above, the adjective azul meaning blue is transformed into a noun, and for this reason a definite article must be placed before it.
Using definite articles with the superlative relative
Like in English, the definite article is part of the structure of the superlative relative in Brazilian Portuguese.
Using a definite article before the word ‘outro/outra’
Use the definite article before the word outro/outra meaning other when you are making it clear who or what you are talking about.
In this example, I am using the definite article before the word outro meaning other to identify the other person I am referring to: meu irmão meaning my brother.
How to use definite articles in possessive constructions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, we often just use definite articles before the names of body parts, personal belongings, or words that determine family relationships as a way to indicate possession.
- Fiquei com os pés molhados.Translation: I got my feet wet.Literally: I got the feet wet.
- Maria sempre carregava o celular na bolsa.Translation: Maria always had her cell phone in her purse.Literally: Maria always had the cell phone in the purse.em meaning in + a meaning the = na meaning in the
- Enquanto ela falava, o amigo ficava calado.Translation: While she was speaking, her friend was silent.Literally: While she was speaking, the friend was silent.
Notice that in English we say, “her cell phone/her purse/her friend,” whereas, in Brazilian Portuguese, definite articles are used to indicate something owned.
When to use definite articles with possessive pronouns?
Definite articles are always used before possessive pronouns in Brazilian Portuguese, as in:
However, when the words that we use as possessive pronouns are used before a noun, as possessive adjectives, the definite article becomes optional.
Now, you have seen many of the cases where you will need to use a definite article. But what about when the definite article is not required? Or where it must be omitted altogether? Keep reading!
When are definite articles optional in Brazilian Portuguese?
Definite articles are optional in Brazilian Portuguese when referring to people’s names and when using possessive adjectives. Let’s look at each case.
To refer to people
Unlike in English, in Brazilian Portuguese the use of definite articles is optional when referring to people’s names. However, when it is used, it can indicate proximity and familiarity.
- ✅ Encontrei a Carla, minha irmã, esta manhã.
✅ Encontrei Carla, minha irmã, esta manhã.Translation: I met Carla, my sister, this morning. - ✅ Hoje vou finalmente conversar com o Pedro.
✅ Hoje vou finalmente conversar com Pedro.Translation: Today, I will finally talk to Pedro.
In both examples, the use of a definite article before the names Carla and Pedro shows acquaintance. But pay attention here: in some regions of Brazil, such as the Northeast, the definite article is not usually placed in front of a person’s name.
With possessive adjectives
The use of definite articles is optional before possessive adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese.
- ✅ Tive que vender o meu carro porque ele já estava quebrado.
✅ Tive que vender meu carro porque ele já estava quebrado.Translation: I had to sell my car because it was already broken. - ✅ A minha mãe esteve me visitando ontem.
✅ Minha mãe esteve me visitando ontem.Translation: My mother was visiting me yesterday.
Here, you have seen when the use of definite articles is optional in Brazilian Portuguese. Finally, we will now see where to omit definite articles.
When are definite articles omitted in Brazilian Portuguese?
Definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese should be omitted with titles of royalty, before the word casa, and with the names of cities and states.
With titles of royalty
Do not use definite articles with titles of royalty in Brazilian Portuguese. Earlier, we talked about the use of definite articles with titles that indicate qualification or respect. However, definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese are omitted before titles such as Vossa Alteza meaning Your Highness or Vossa Majestade meaning Your Majesty.
Vossa Majestade cumpriu todos os compromissos reais.Translation: Your Majesty has fulfilled all royal obligations.With the word casa
The definite article should be omitted when the word casa meaning home refers to the place where you live, especially with your family.
- Estarei em casa mais tarde.Translation: I will be home later.We are discussing my house, so I do not use a definite article.
- Estarei na casa do Rodrigo mais tarde.Translation: I will be at Rodrigo's home later.We are discussing Rodrigo’s house, so I do not use a definite article.
With the names of cities and states
Similar to English, the definite article is omitted before the names of cities and states.
- A capital do Brasil é Brasília.Translation: The capital city of Brazil is Brasilia.
- Minas Gerais é um Estado brasileiro.Translation: Minas Gerais is a Brazilian state.
In summary
We have now seen when to use (and not use) definite articles in Brazilian Portuguese. As you can see, there are similar cases to English, but there are also differences, so pay attention and you’ll become a pro!
Below, you can find a table summarizing all the information about this topic:
| Used | Optional | Omitted |
|---|---|---|
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But before you leave, why don’t you check your understanding with this exercise on Brazilian Portuguese definite articles? Happy learning!
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