How to make simple Portuguese sentences with regular verbs

Introduction

Learning to build simple sentences with regular verbs is one of the fastest ways to start communicating in Brazilian Portuguese. This guide explains how regular verbs work, shows clear patterns, and gives practical examples and tips that beginners can use in everyday situations.

What are regular verbs in Brazilian Portuguese?

Regular verbs follow predictable conjugation patterns. In Portuguese, most verbs end in -ar, -er, or -ir. Once you learn one verb from each group, you can conjugate many others the same way. That predictability makes forming simple sentences much easier for beginners.

Why regular verbs are useful for beginners

Regular verbs let you create useful sentences with little memorization. You can express actions like eating, speaking, working, and studying by applying the same endings. This helps you ask questions, make statements, and respond in common situations like restaurants, shops, or introductions.

Basic present tense conjugation patterns

Below are the present tense endings for each verb group used for simple sentences in everyday contexts. Use the verb stem (remove the -ar, -er, or -ir) and add the endings that match the subject pronoun.

Regular -ar verbs (example verb: falar meaning to speak)

eu: falo

você/ele/ela: fala

nós: falamos

vocês/eles/elas: falam

Regular -er verbs (example verb: comer meaning to eat)

eu: como

você/ele/ela: come

nós: comemos

vocês/eles/elas: comem

Regular -ir verbs (example verb: abrir meaning to open)

eu: abro

você/ele/ela: abre

nós: abrimos

vocês/eles/elas: abrem

Subject pronouns and common shortcuts

Subject pronouns are often omitted in Portuguese because the verb ending indicates the subject. Beginners can use pronouns at the start but quickly learn to drop them in conversation. Common pronouns:

eu = I

você = you (singular, common in Brazil)

ele / ela = he / she

nós = we

vocês = you (plural)

eles / elas = they

Step-by-step: Making a simple affirmative sentence

Follow these steps to build your first simple sentences in Portuguese:

1. Choose the verb and identify its group. Example: comer (-er).

2. Remove the infinitive ending to find the stem. Example: com-.

3. Add the present tense ending that matches the subject. For você, add -e: come.

4. Add the object or complement. Example: Você come pão.

Example sentences:

Eu falo português.

Você come pão.

Ela abre a porta.

Nós estudamos hoje.

Translations and notes

Eu falo português = I speak Portuguese

Você come pão = You eat bread

Ela abre a porta = She opens the door

Nós estudamos hoje = We study today

Forming simple negative sentences

To make a negative sentence, place não before the verb. This is consistent and simple for beginners.

Examples:

Eu não falo inglês.

Você não come carne.

Ele não abre a janela.

Nós não estudamos agora.

Eu não falo inglês = I do not speak English

Você não come carne = You do not eat meat

Ele não abre a janela = He does not open the window

Nós não estudamos agora = We are not studying now

Forming simple yes/no questions

There are two common ways to create yes/no questions: intonation and adding a question word or tag. For beginners, the easiest method is rising intonation—keep word order the same and raise your voice at the end. You can also add a simple question word like certo? or não? if needed.

Examples with intonation (write the same words, pronounce with rising tone):

Você fala inglês?

Ele come arroz?

Ela abre a janela?

Examples with a simple tag:

Você fala inglês, né?

Isso não abre, né?

Você fala inglês? = Do you speak English?

Ele come arroz? = Does he eat rice?

Ela abre a janela? = Does she open the window?

Common useful verbs for beginners

Memorize a few regular verbs from each group to make many simple sentences. Here are practical verbs you will see in menus, signs, schedules, and short conversations.

-ar verbs:

falar = to speak

estudar = to study

trabalhar = to work

chegar = to arrive (note: chegar is regular -ar)

-er verbs:

comer = to eat

beber = to drink

vender = to sell

entender = to understand

-ir verbs:

abrir = to open

partir = to leave / depart

assistir = to watch / attend

decidir = to decide

Example practical sentences by context

At a café:

Eu quero um café.

Você quer leite?

Ele come um sanduíche.

On public transport:

O ônibus chega às oito.

Nós saímos agora.

Ela abre a bolsa.

Shopping and services:

Você vende camiseta?

Eu pago com cartão.

Eles entendem o preço?

Notes:

Eu quero um café = I want a coffee (querer is irregular, but this example shows common request format; for regular verbs, use quero-like patterns with regular verbs such as eu trabalho)

O ônibus chega às oito = The bus arrives at eight

Eu pago com cartão = I pay with card (pagar is irregular with a stem change in some tenses; useful format showing how practical phrases look)

Beginner tips and common mistakes

Tip 1: Focus on endings, not pronouns. Learn that fala implies você/ele/ela, and come implies você/ele/ela. This helps with listening and speaking.

Tip 2: Practice with very short sentences: Eu como, Você fala, Ela abre. Short repetition builds muscle memory.

Tip 3: Use real-life content like menus and signs. Look for verbs on signs: aberto (open), fechado (closed), entrada (entrance). These are useful for beginner comprehension.

Common mistake 1: Using English word order rules for questions. Remember that you usually keep the same word order and rely on intonation or a question word instead of moving the verb.

Common mistake 2: Confusing -er and -ir endings. Pay attention to the infinitive written form. If a verb ends in -ir, learn the -ir conjugation pattern.

Common mistake 3: Overusing pronouns. Native speakers often omit eu or você, so practice dropping the pronoun after you are comfortable with endings.

Short practice exercises (with answers)

Change these infinitives into simple present sentences for the given subjects.

1. (falar) eu -> Eu falo.

2. (comer) você -> Você come.

3. (abrir) ela -> Ela abre.

4. (estudar) nós -> Nós estudamos.

5. (vender) eles -> Eles vendem.

How to expand from simple sentences

Once you are comfortable with present tense regular verbs, combine verbs with time expressions and places to make more natural sentences. Add hoje, agora, amanhã, sempre, nunca, no trabalho, em casa to say when or where.

Examples:

Eu estudo hoje à noite.

Ela come sempre no restaurante.

Nós abrimos a loja às nove.

Conclusion

Mastering regular verbs gives you the tools to create many practical sentences in Brazilian Portuguese. Learn the -ar, -er, and -ir patterns, practice short phrases you will use daily, and start making small conversation and signs sense. With focused practice and real-world examples, you will soon form clear, correct sentences for everyday situations.