Introduction
Learning deictic words in Portuguese helps you sound natural and precise. This article explains how to use naquele in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to things that are distant in time, space, or conversation. Clear examples, comparison with related words, and cultural notes will help beginners to intermediate learners use naquele correctly and confidently.
What is naquele?
Naquele is a contraction of em + aquele. It is a demonstrative prepositional form used to point to something that is not near the speaker nor the listener, often translated as in that or on that, referring to a distant object, moment, or idea. Because it combines a preposition and a demonstrative pronoun, it works differently from simple demonstratives like aquele, esta, or essa.
Structure and formation
To form naquele, combine the preposition em with the masculine singular demonstrative aquele: em + aquele = naquele. For feminine singular, use na + aquela = naquela. For plural forms, use nos + aqueles = naqueles and nas + aquelas = naquelas. This article focuses on naquele, but understanding the pattern helps with other forms.
When to use naquele
Naquele is typically used in three main contexts: spatial distance, temporal distance, and referential distance in discourse. Each context affects nuance, so learning examples is key.
1. Spatial distance
Use naquele when referring to a place or object that is physically away from both speaker and listener or is perceived as farther compared with something nearer.
Examples:
O livro está naquele canto da sala.
Eu deixei as chaves naquele
In the first example, naquele points to a corner that is not close to the speaker or the person being addressed. In the second, adding ali can emphasize distance even more.
2. Temporal distance
Use naquele to refer to moments in the past that are relatively remote or already established in conversation. In English this often corresponds to phrases like at that time or during that period.
Examples:
Lembro-me naquele verão quando viajamos para o Nordeste.
Naquele dia, tudo parecia diferente.
Here naquele creates a clear temporal frame: a specific summer or a specific day that the speaker treats as distant or completed.
3. Referential distance in conversation
Demonstratives can organize discourse. Use naquele to point back to an idea or event mentioned earlier or to something distant in the narrative or argument. It signals that the referent is not immediate or central right now.
Examples:
No livro, o autor descreve uma festa. NaqueleEla falou sobre a reunião; naquele
Using naquele helps the listener locate the reference within the conversation or text.
How naquele differs from related forms
Portuguese has several demonstratives and prepositional combinations. Knowing the contrasts helps you choose the correct form.
Naquele vs naquele vs naquele with emphasis
While naquele is em + aquele, the standalone demonstrative aquele can be used without a preposition, typically before nouns or as a pronoun. Use aquele when you are directly pointing to something, often without needing em. The prepositional naquele specifically emphasizes location, time, or relation introduced by the preposition em.
Comparison:
Aquele carro é meu. (That car is mine.)
Eu estava no carro naquele dia. (I was in that car that day.)
Naquele vs nesse and naquele vs este
Portuguese also uses nesse (em + esse) and neste (em + este). The basic difference is proximity:
neste = near the speaker (this, here).
nesse = near the listener or not far (that, there).
naquele = far from both speaker and listener (that over there, at that time).
Examples to contrast:
Estou sentado neste banco. (I am sitting on this bench — near me.)
Você deixou o livro nesse banco. (You left the book on that bench — near you.)
O livro que falamos está naquele banco lá ao fundo. (The book we talked about is on that bench over there — distant.)
Sentence position and agreement
Naquele must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It usually precedes the noun when used attributively, but can also act adverbially with verbs when the preposition em is part of a verb phrase.
Gender and number agreement
Examples:
Naquele prédio (masculine singular).
Naquela sala (feminine singular).
Naqueles prédios (masculine plural).
Naquelas salas (feminine plural).
Make sure the demonstrative matches the noun: naquele carro but naquela rua.
Position in the sentence
When used before a noun, naquele behaves like a typical adjective or determiner. When used as part of a prepositional phrase, it can appear after the verb or clause it modifies.
Examples:
Gosto naqueleEla pensou naquele
Common verbs and expressions with naquele
Some verbs and expressions commonly pair with naquele because they naturally require em to indicate time or place. Learning these collocations helps with fluency.
Verbs of memory and reference
Verbs like lembrar-se, acreditar, pensar, perceber often use em to anchor an idea in time or place.
Examples:
Lembro-me naqueleAcreditávamos naquele
Verbs of location
Verbs such as estar, ficar, morar, viver are frequently followed by locative phrases with naquele.
Examples:
Ele estava naqueleNós morávamos naquele
Idiomatic and narrative uses
Writers and speakers use naquele to mark scenes in storytelling or to create a distance that contributes to mood or nostalgia.
Example:
Naquele inverno, as noites eram longas e frias, e a cidade parecia outra.
Pronunciation and stress
Pronounce naquele as na-KEH-le, with the stress on the second syllable. In fast speech, the initial n may merge into the following sounds, but the vowels remain clear in Brazilian Portuguese.
Practice saying sentences at a natural pace to internalize rhythm:
Eu estava naquele
Culture and usage notes
Brazilian Portuguese speakers use demonstratives not only to locate physical objects but also to manage conversations and storytelling. Using naquele can add a sense of distance, formality, or nostalgia. In casual speech, Brazilians might prefer simpler structures or omit the demonstrative if context is clear, but in narratives and descriptive speech, naquele is common.
Regional differences: There are minor regional preferences in spoken Brazilian Portuguese for using esse vs aquele, but the basic meaning stays consistent. In some regions, people may say aquele more often to point to something not immediately visible, while in others they might rely on context words like ali or lá to show distance.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often mix up similar demonstratives or forget to match gender and number. Here are practical tips to avoid common errors.
Mistake 1: Confusing naquele with nesse or neste
Remember proximity rules: use neste for near the speaker, nesse for near the listener, and naquele for distant from both.
Mistake 2: Wrong gender or number
Always check the noun. If the noun is feminine, use naquela. If plural, use naqueles or naquelas.
Mistake 3: Omitting em when required
When location, time, or prepositional meaning is required, do not drop the preposition. Use naquele (em + aquele) rather than only aquele if the structure demands it.
More example sentences
Short, natural sentences help you see naquele in different contexts.
Naquele momento, eu entendi tudo.
As fotos foram tiradas naquele dia de festa.
Ele encontrou o endereço naquele antigo bilhete.
Aquele problema apareceu pela primeira vez naquele projeto.
Voltamos para a casa que visitamos naquele verão.
Tips for practicing
To internalize naquele, listen to Brazilian Portuguese podcasts, watch novelas or films, and pay attention to how narrators and characters refer to past events or distant locations. Shadow sentences aloud and write short descriptions of past events using naquele to build fluency.
Conclusion
Naquele is a practical tool for expressing distance in space, time, and discourse in Brazilian Portuguese. By understanding formation, agreement, and the subtle differences from neste and nesse, learners can use naquele naturally in conversation and writing. Pay attention to context, practice with real sentences, and listen to native speakers to master its use.
