Introduction
Learning how to use Nós is one of the first steps to speaking Brazilian Portuguese with confidence. This article explains the grammar, pronouns, verb conjugation, common phrases, and everyday examples for beginners. You will learn simple sentences, typical contexts, mistakes to avoid, and practical tips to start using nós right away.
- What is Nós and when to use it
- Basic grammar: verb conjugation with Nós
- Present continuous and important auxiliaries
- Past tense: simple past (pretérito perfeito)
- Future and conditional basics
- Inclusive and exclusive uses
- Common phrases and practical short dialogs
- Polite expressions and invitations
- Practical vocabulary with Nós
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Simple practice exercises for beginners
- Real-world contexts where Nós appears
- Tips to remember Nós
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- More example sentences for everyday use
- Practice mini-dialogues to say aloud
- When to use A gente instead of Nós
- Conclusion
What is Nós and when to use it
Nós is the first person plural subject pronoun in Brazilian Portuguese, equivalent to English we. Use nós when you talk about yourself plus other people. It is used in statements, questions, and commands when the speaker includes themselves with others.
Examples of situations to use nós:
Talking about plans: Nós vamos ao mercado.
Describing what a group is doing: Nós estamos estudando.
Making a suggestion: Nós podemos ir agora.
Basic grammar: verb conjugation with Nós
Verbs change form depending on the subject. For beginners, start with present tense conjugations. Below are common verb endings with nós in the present indicative.
Regular verbs:
-ar verbs: falar → nós falamos
-er verbs: comer → nós comemos
-ir verbs: abrir → nós abrimos
Notice the endings: -amos, -emos, -imos. These endings are predictable and useful for many verbs.
Examples with simple verbs
Nós falamos português todos os dias.
We speak Portuguese every day.
Nós comemos no restaurante às 12h.
We eat at the restaurant at 12.
Nós abrimos a janela para deixar entrar o ar.
We open the window to let air in.
Present continuous and important auxiliaries
To express actions in progress, Brazilians commonly use the gerund with the verb estar. Use the conjugation of estar for nós plus verb gerund.
Nós estamos + gerund (verb ending in -ando, -endo, -indo)
Examples:
Nós estamos estudando para a prova.
We are studying for the exam.
Nós estamos trabalhando agora.
We are working now.
Past tense: simple past (pretérito perfeito)
For completed actions in the past, use pretérito perfeito. The endings change from present.
Regular endings for nós:
-ar verbs: falamos (note same spelling as present but context shows past)
Eu falei ontem; nós falamos ontem às 18h.
-er verbs: comemos → Nós comemos pizza ontem.
-ir verbs: abrimos → Nós abrimos a loja às 9h.
Future and conditional basics
Three easy forms to express future actions:
1. Ir + infinitive for near future: nós vamos + infinitive.
Example: Nós vamos viajar amanhã.
We are going to travel tomorrow.
2. Future simple: add endings to infinitive. For beginners, focus on ir + infinitive first.
3. Conditional: use poder + infinitive to make polite requests or hypothetical statements.
Example: Nós poderíamos tentar mais tarde.
We could try later.
Inclusive and exclusive uses
Nós always includes the speaker. In Brazilian Portuguese, context clarifies whether listeners are included. For clarity, add words like você or names if needed.
Example where listener is included: Nós vamos ao cinema, você vem?
We are going to the cinema, are you coming?
Example where listener is excluded: Nós (eu e a Maria) vamos à festa amanhã.
We (Maria and I) are going to the party tomorrow.
Common phrases and practical short dialogs
These short dialogues show natural uses of nós in everyday situations.
At a café:
Cliente: O que nós vamos pedir?
Barista: Vocês querem o cardápio?
Making plans with friends:
Amigo 1: Nós podemos encontrar às 17h no parque.
Amigo 2: Perfeito, nós iremos juntos.
On a bus or train announcement:
Condutor: Nós chegaremos à estação Central em 5 minutos.
Polite expressions and invitations
Use nós with verbs like poder, querer, dever to make polite suggestions or invitations.
Examples:
Nós podemos jantar depois do trabalho?
We can have dinner after work?
Nós deveríamos perguntar ao gerente.
We should ask the manager.
Practical vocabulary with Nós
Short, useful words and phrases that pair well with nós in beginner conversations.
nós vamos — we go / we are going
nós estamos — we are
nós temos — we have
nós queremos — we want
nós podemos — we can
nós precisamos — we need
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: forgetting verb agreement. Beginners sometimes use infinitive instead of the conjugated verb. Always conjugate for nós.
Wrong: Nós falar agora. Right: Nós falamos agora.
Mistake 2: confusing nós with você or a gente. In Brazil, people often use a gente instead of nós in informal speech. A gente takes third-person singular verbs.
Compare:
Nós vamos ao parque. (verb plural)
A gente vai ao parque. (verb singular)
Mistake 3: using English word order or literal translations. Keep natural Portuguese order and include prepositions as needed.
Wrong: Nós have um carro. Right: Nós temos um carro.
Simple practice exercises for beginners
Fill-in-the-blank sentences to practice conjugation with nós. Try completing them mentally or aloud.
1. Nós _____ (comer) às 13h.
2. Nós _____ (estudar) português hoje.
3. Nós _____ (abrir) a porta agora.
Answers: 1. comemos 2. estamos estudando or estudamos 3. abrimos
Real-world contexts where Nós appears
Signs, menus, forms, and schedules often use verbs not directly with nós, but you will see language that helps practice forming sentences with nós. Examples of real situations:
Restaurant reservation text: Nós queremos uma mesa para quatro às 20h.
Work schedule message: Nós começamos às 9h na segunda-feira.
Travel plan note: Nós vamos embarcar às 14h30.
Tips to remember Nós
Tip 1: Pair common verbs with nós and say simple sentences aloud: Nós comemos, Nós estamos, Nós vamos.
Tip 2: Listen for a gente in informal speech and notice the verb form difference.
Tip 3: Practice with a study partner and take turns using nós in short dialogues to simulate group speech.
Quick reference cheat sheet
Present indicative endings with nós:
-ar → -amos (falamos)
-er → -emos (comemos)
-ir → -imos (abrimos)
Gerund with estar: nós estamos + -ando/-endo/-indo
Pretérito perfeito examples: nós falamos, nós comemos, nós abrimos
More example sentences for everyday use
Nós precisamos de três cadeiras para a reunião.
We need three chairs for the meeting.
Nós gostamos deste prato no menu.
We like this dish on the menu.
Nós não entendemos a palavra no sinal.
We do not understand the word on the sign.
Nós estudamos por uma hora todos os dias.
We study for one hour every day.
Practice mini-dialogues to say aloud
Dialogue 1 — Planning:
Pessoa A: Nós vamos ao mercado agora?
Pessoa B: Sim. Nós precisamos comprar pão e leite.
Dialogue 2 — At work:
Pessoa A: Nós podemos terminar o relatório hoje?
Pessoa B: Acho que sim. Nós vamos revisar juntos às 16h.
When to use A gente instead of Nós
Informal speakers in Brazil often prefer a gente. It means the same as nós but takes third-person singular verbs. For polite or formal contexts, use nós. For casual conversation, you will hear a gente frequently.
Examples:
Nós precisamos falar com a gerente. (formal)
A gente precisa falar com a gerente. (informal)
Conclusion
Mastering nós is essential for beginner Brazilian Portuguese because it opens up group expressions, plans, and everyday communication. Focus on present tense endings, the gerund with nós estamos, and differences with a gente. Use the practical examples and short dialogues in real situations to build confidence and fluency.
