How to use “Nossos” and “Nossas” in Portuguese basics

Introduction

Learning possessive forms is essential when starting Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains how to use Nossos and Nossas for beginners, with clear rules, everyday examples, vocabulary, common mistakes, and simple practice sentences you can use right away.

What are Nossos and Nossas?

Both Nossos and Nossas are plural possessive adjectives that mean our or ours in English. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Use Nossos with masculine plural nouns and Nossas with feminine plural nouns.

Basic gender agreement rule

If the noun you own is masculine plural, use Nossos. If the noun is feminine plural, use Nossas.

Masculine example: Nossos livros — our books. Livro is masculine and plural, so usamos Nossos.

Feminine example: Nossas casas — our houses. Casa is feminine and plural, so usamos Nossas.

Quick reference: When to use each

Use Nossos with plural nouns ending typically in -o/-os or other masculine markers. Use Nossas with plural nouns ending in -a/-as or other feminine markers.

Examples:

Nossos amigos — our friends (group of male or mixed-gender friends)

Nossas amigas — our friends (all-female group)

Nossos carros — our cars

Nossas fotos — our photos

Note on mixed groups

In Brazilian Portuguese, a group with at least one male member uses the masculine plural form. So a group with men and women is described with Nossos, not Nossas.

Example: Nossos colegas can refer to a mixed group of coworkers.

How possessive adjectives change with gender and number

Portuguese possessive adjectives must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun, not of the owner. Here is how the possessive for the equivalent of our appears in all forms:

Nosso — masculine singular (our; used with a single masculine noun)

Nossa — feminine singular

Nossos — masculine plural

Nossas — feminine plural

Examples for each form

Nosso carro — our car

Nossa escola — our school

Nossos professores — our teachers (male or mixed group)

Nossas mochilas — our backpacks

Common beginner situations and practical examples

These are everyday contexts where you will likely use Nossos and Nossas, with short, useful phrases in Brazilian Portuguese and English explanations.

At school

Nossos livros estão na sala.
Our books are in the classroom. Use this to say where shared materials are located.

At home

Nossas chaves estão na mesa.
Our keys are on the table. Use this to talk about shared household items.

With friends

Nossos planos para hoje são ir ao cinema.
Our plans for today are to go to the cinema. Use this to speak about group plans.

On a message or sign

Nossas promoções valem até sábado.
Our promotions are valid until Saturday. A beginner might see this in a store or online ad.

On schedules or community info

Nossos horários de atendimento são das 9h às 18h.
Our service hours are from 9am to 6pm. Useful for public or community announcements.

Short dialogue examples beginners can practice

Dialog 1: At a hostel

Recepcionista: São seus documentos?
Hóspede: Sim, são nossos.

Meaning: Receptionist: Are these your documents? Guest: Yes, they are ours.

Dialog 2: Planning with friends

Amigo A: Onde estão as mochilas?
Amigo B: Nossas mochilas estão no carro.

Meaning: Friend A: Where are the backpacks? Friend B: Our backpacks are in the car.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Matching the possessive to the owner instead of the noun. Remember that agreement depends on the noun you own, not who owns it.

Incorrect: Nossas livros. Correct: Nossos livros.

Mistake 2: Using singular where plural is needed. If you talk about multiple items, choose the plural form.

Incorrect: Nossa chaves. Correct: Nossas chaves.

Mistake 3: Gender confusion with mixed groups. For groups with both genders, use masculine plural.

Incorrect: Nossas amigos (when group mixed). Correct: Nossos amigos.

Useful vocabulary and quick list of nouns

These nouns are common and help you decide whether to use Nossos or Nossas.

livro — book (masculine)

carro — car (masculine)

amigo / amiga — friend (amigo masculine, amiga feminine)

casa — house (feminine)

chave — key (feminine)

mala — suitcase (feminine)

telefone — phone (masculine)

trabalhos — assignments, jobs (masculine plural)

fotos — photos (feminine plural)

Tip: Check the article before the noun

The definite article can help identify gender. If the noun uses o/os, it is masculine. If it uses a/as, it is feminine.

Example: o carro, os carros -> use Nossos carros. a casa, as casas -> use Nossas casas.

Practice exercises for beginners

Fill in the blank with Nossos or Nossas.

1) _____ livros estão na mesa.

2) _____ janelas são grandes.

3) _____ malas estão prontas.

4) _____ amigas chegaram cedo.

Answers:

1) Nossos livros estão na mesa.

2) Nossas janelas são grandes.

3) Nossas malas estão prontas.

4) Nossas amigas chegaram cedo.

Mini role-play scenarios

Scenario 1: Sharing information with a neighbor

Você: Nossos horários para usar a lavanderia são das 18h às 20h.
Vizinho: Obrigado, vou anotar.

Scenario 2: At a cafe

Amigo: Onde estão os guardanapos?
Você: Nossos guardanapos estão na gaveta.

Quick tips to remember

1) Decide the gender and number of the noun first. Then choose the possessive form.

2) Mixed groups default to masculine plural Nossos.

3) Use articles o/os and a/as as clues to the noun gender.

4) Practice with things around you: Nossos livros, Nossas canecas, Nossos sapatos, Nossas chaves.

Resources to practice further

Look for beginner textbooks, language apps, or simple children’s books in Brazilian Portuguese to see many examples of possessives. Practice labeling objects at home in Portuguese with sticky notes: write o livro — Nossos livros if shared, or a caneca — Nossas canecas for shared mugs.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use Nossos and Nossas is straightforward once you focus on the gender and number of the noun, not who owns it. With the simple rules, everyday examples, and short practice exercises here, you can start using these possessives naturally in common situations like home, school, messages, and conversations.