Contractions (Preposition + Article) in Portuguese

Overview

Contractions (Preposition + Article) (Contrações) is a beginner (CEFR A1) topic in Portuguese grammar. Mandatory contractions: de + o = do, em + a = na, a + o = ao, por + o = pelo. Also with demonstratives: de + este = deste, em + aquele = naquele.

Understanding contractions (preposition + article) is essential for building correct Portuguese sentences and communicating effectively. This concept is introduced at the A1 level and forms part of the foundation for more advanced grammar structures.

Whether you are learning Brazilian or European Portuguese, mastering contractions (preposition + article) will significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and accurately in a variety of contexts.

How It Works

Contractions with definite articles:

Preposition	+ o	+ a	+ os	+ as
de	do	da	dos	das
em	no	na	nos	nas
a	ao	a	aos	as
por	pelo	pela	pelos	pelas

Contractions with indefinite articles: de + um = dum, em + uma = numa. Optional in formal writing.

Contractions with demonstratives: de + este = deste, em + esse = nesse, de + aquele = daquele, em + aquele = naquele.

These contractions are mandatory in Portuguese -- not using them is grammatically incorrect.

Examples in Context

Portuguese	English	Note
Vou ao mercado.	I'm going to the market.
Venho do trabalho.	I'm coming from work.
Estou na escola.	I'm at school.
Passo pela ponte.	I go across the bridge.
Gosto do cafe.	I like the coffee.	de+o
Moro no Porto.	I live in Porto.	em+o
Vou as compras.	I go shopping.	a+as
Passou pelos parques.	He passed through the parks.	por+os
Gosto deste livro.	I like this book.	de+este

Common Mistakes

Incorrect form usage

• Wrong: Applying rules from English or other languages directly
• Right: Follow Portuguese-specific patterns for contractions (preposition + article)
• Why: Portuguese has its own rules that do not always align with English or other Romance languages.

Forgetting agreement rules

• Wrong: Not matching gender, number, or person correctly
• Right: Ensure all elements in the sentence agree with each other
• Why: Portuguese requires strict agreement between subjects, verbs, articles, adjectives, and pronouns.

Mixing formal and informal registers

• Wrong: Using tu forms with voce verb conjugations, or vice versa
• Right: Be consistent with your chosen register throughout a conversation
• Why: Register consistency is important for natural-sounding Portuguese.

Usage Notes

This concept appears across both Brazilian and European Portuguese, though specific usage patterns may differ between the two variants. At the A1 level, focus on understanding the core patterns before worrying about regional differences.

In everyday conversation, contractions (preposition + article) is used frequently in both formal and informal contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in the media you consume, and note any differences between Brazilian and Portuguese sources.

Practice Tips

1. Practice contractions (preposition + article) with authentic Portuguese texts, listening for how native speakers use these forms in context.
2. Create flashcards with complete example sentences rather than isolated words to reinforce natural patterns.
3. Write short paragraphs using contractions (preposition + article) and compare them with native-written texts to identify areas for improvement.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Definite Articles -- provides the foundational knowledge needed for contractions (preposition + article)