Introduction
Understanding the difference between informar a and informar para is essential for learners of Brazilian Portuguese. Both prepositions can appear with the verb informar, but they change meaning, formality, and how native speakers use the phrases in real situations. This article explains the grammar, usage patterns, and examples to help beginners and intermediate learners choose the right structure confidently.
Basic meanings: informar + preposition
The verb informar means to give information, to notify, or to inform. When you add a preposition after informar, you specify the relationship between the action and the person, reason, or purpose. The two common structures are informar a and informar para. They are not interchangeable in every context.
Informar a: direct object and indirect object
Use informar a when you are informing a specific person or entity. In Portuguese, this often marks the indirect object with the preposition a. This structure is common in formal writing and official contexts.
Examples:
Informei a gerente sobre o problema.
Informei o cliente a respeito da mudança no contrato.
Note that in spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the indirect object can also be placed before the verb without the preposition if it appears as a clitic pronoun (me, te, lhe, nos, lhes). For instance:
Eu lhe informei do horário da reunião.
Eu informei-lhe do horário da reunião. (more formal and less common in speech)
Informar para: purpose or direction in casual speech
Informar para is less formal and often marks purpose or the destination of the information in casual speech. It can express why or for what purpose someone is informing someone else, or simply indicate the recipient in everyday language. This usage is more common in Brazil, especially in spoken registers.
Examples:
Vou informar para a equipe o novo procedimento.
Ela informou para mim que a reunião foi cancelada.
Using informar para with a personal pronoun like mim or você is colloquial; in formal writing, prefer informar a or rephrase.
Formal vs everyday patterns
Portuguese has a distinction between grammar used in formal registers (written Portuguese, official communication, academic language) and everyday spoken registers. Informar a aligns with formal standards, while informar para reflects everyday oral usage.
Formal contexts: prefer informar a
In formal contexts such as emails, reports, legal documents, or official announcements, use informar a to introduce the recipient. This follows traditional prescriptive grammar where the preposition a introduces the indirect object.
Formal examples:
O diretor informou a equipe sobre as novas metas trimestrais.
A empresa informa a todos os clientes que haverá manutenção no sistema.
When using clitic pronouns in formal writing, choose lhe/ lhes with the verb informar to maintain register:
Informaremos-lhes os procedimentos atualizados.
Everyday speech: informar para is common
In conversation, many Brazilians say informar para followed by a pronoun or noun. It feels natural and is widely understood. This pattern often replaces the more formal informar a, especially when the speaker uses a personal pronoun such as mim, você, ele, ela.
Everyday examples:
Você me informou para chegar às 9h?
Ela informou para a turma que a prova mudou de data.
Note that while common, this structure is less accepted in formal writing. Teachers and editors might correct informou para mim to me informou or informou-me in written exercises.
Grammar details and object pronouns
To choose between informar a and informar para, consider pronouns and word order. Portuguese clitic pronouns (me, te, lhe, nos, vos, lhes) are standard with informar to indicate the indirect object without an extra preposition.
Using clitic pronouns with informar
Clitics are common and concise. Placement rules depend on sentence type (affirmative, negative, imperative) and formality. For learners, the simplest approach is to memorize natural patterns:
Eu informei você (colloquial, uses direct object pronoun)
Eu te informei (colloquial and common)
Eu lhe informei (formal; indirect object pronoun)
In formal written Portuguese, eu lhe informei is preferred over eu te informei when addressing someone you would treat with formality, but in everyday conversation te is widespread.
Prepositional pronouns after para vs a
When you need emphasis or clarity, Portuguese uses prepositional pronouns with para or a plus a disjunctive pronoun like mim, você, ele, ela, nós, eles. This is common in spoken language:
Ela informou para mim que a festa foi adiada.
O gerente informou para nós sobre o atraso no projeto.
However, in formal writing, replace para mim with me or lhe when appropriate:
Ela me informou que a festa foi adiada.
O gerente nos informou sobre o atraso no projeto.
When each structure changes meaning
Sometimes the difference between informar a and informar para can change nuance. Consider the following distinctions.
Recipient vs purpose
Use informar a to mark the recipient directly. Use informar para to emphasize the purpose or direction of the information. Look at this pair:
Informei a equipe das novas regras. (I informed the team; the team is the recipient.)
Informei as novas regras para a equipe. (I presented the new rules for the team to know or apply; the sentence emphasizes the purpose of the information.)
Both are acceptable, but the focus shifts slightly. The first centers on the act of informing the team; the second centers on the content being delivered for the team’s use.
Passive and impersonal constructions
Portuguese commonly uses passive or impersonal forms with informar. In formal passive voice, usar informar + a can appear with ser:
Os clientes foram informados da alteração. (The clients were informed of the change.)
In impersonal constructions, the agent might be omitted:
Informou-se o público sobre os procedimentos. (The public was informed about the procedures.)
These structures avoid the para alternative and favor prepositions like de or sobre with the content being communicated.
Common pitfalls and tips for learners
Beginners often mix English patterns into Portuguese. Remember that Portuguese uses different prepositions and clitic pronouns depending on register and emphasis. Here are practical tips.
Tip 1: In formal emails and writing, use informar a or clitic pronouns
When writing a formal email, prefer constructions like:
Informamos a todos os participantes que o evento foi cancelado.
Informamos-lhe a decisão da diretoria. (or Informamos a você a decisão da diretoria.)
These choices sound professional and align with prescriptive grammar.
Tip 2: In conversation, informar para is natural but be mindful in exams
In spoken Portuguese, you will hear many speakers use para with personal pronouns. It is not wrong in everyday speech, but in academic tests or formal contexts, stick to the standard forms. Example spoken sentence:
Ela informou para mim sobre a mudança no horário.
Tip 3: Learn clitic pronoun placement separately
Clitic placement can be tricky because Portuguese rules differ from English. Practice sentences with me, te, lhe, nos, and lhes. For instance:
Me informaram ontem. (colloquial)
Informaram-me ontem. (formal, less common in speech)
Tip 4: Focus on meaning — recipient vs purpose
When deciding which preposition to use, ask whether you want to stress who received the information or why the information was provided. Rephrase the sentence if necessary to make the intended focus clear.
Real-life examples and variations
Below are practical examples you may hear in Brazil, showing both formal and informal patterns in context.
Formal written: Informamos a todos os clientes que os preços sofrerão reajuste a partir do mês que vem.
Spoken: Vou informar para o pessoal da produção sobre o novo cronograma.
Mixed: O professor informou aos alunos as regras do trabalho. (aos = a + os; formal and standard)
Colloquial with pronoun: Ela me informou que vai faltar amanhã. (me = direct/indirect object pronoun used in speech)
Passive: Os moradores foram informados sobre a evacuação preventiva.
Cultural and usage notes
Brazilians vary widely in formality depending on region, age, and social context. Younger speakers and informal settings favor simpler and more flexible patterns like using para with pronouns. Corporate, legal, and academic contexts stick closer to prescriptive norms. When in doubt, adapt to your audience: use informar a in formal writing and meetings; accept informar para in casual conversation.
Another cultural point: Brazilians often prefer direct, concise phrasing in speech. So instead of long constructions, you might hear short forms like:
Já informei o chefe. (I already informed the boss.)
Deixa que eu informo todo mundo. (Let me inform everyone.)
Quick reference guide
Below are compact rules to remember when deciding between informar a and informar para.
Use informar a when: the sentence is formal, you want to mark the recipient in a standard way, or you use clitic pronouns like lhe/ lhes.
Use informar para when: speaking informally, indicating purpose or direction, or using prepositional pronouns like para mim in conversational Portuguese.
When unsure in writing, prefer me/te/nos + informar or use informar a + noun to be safe.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between informar a and informar para helps you choose the right register and convey the precise relationship between the action and the recipient or purpose. Use informar a and clitic pronouns in formal writing, and accept informar para in everyday speech. Focus on whether you want to emphasize the recipient or the purpose, and adapt to the context for natural, correct Brazilian Portuguese.
