Introduction
Learning how to say something is wrong in Brazilian Portuguese is a useful early step. This lesson explains how to use the adjectives errado and errada, when to change them for gender and number, and simple examples you can use in everyday situations like messages, menus, signs, and conversations.
- What do errado and errada mean?
- Simple grammar rules for beginners
- Common contexts and practical examples
- Short dialogues for practice
- Negative forms and common verbs with errado/errada
- Gender and number practice
- Short phrases and signs you might read
- Common mistakes beginners make
- Practice exercises
- Polite ways to point out mistakes
- Quick tips for remembering
- Conclusion
What do errado and errada mean?
Both errado and errada come from the verb errar and work as adjectives meaning wrong, incorrect, mistaken, or not right. They change to agree with the noun they describe:
errado – masculine singular
errado – repeated masculine form for later mentions
errada – feminine singular
errada – repeated feminine form for later mentions
For plural nouns you add -s: errados (masculine plural) and erradas (feminine plural).
Simple grammar rules for beginners
Adjectives in Portuguese must match the noun in gender and number. If the noun is masculine and singular, use errado. If the noun is feminine and singular, use errada. For plural nouns, add -s to the adjective.
Examples of agreement:
O número está errado.
A resposta está errada.
Os horários estão errados.
As datas estão erradas.
Common contexts and practical examples
Below are everyday situations where you might use these words. Each example is short and realistic for a beginner learner.
On forms and schedules:
Preencha o campo se o horário estiver errado.
Se a data estiver errada, avise o atendimento.
In messages and casual chat:
Você digitou o número errado.
Desculpa, a informação estava errada.
At stores, menus, and service counters:
Esse preço parece errado.
A cor no site está errada, veio outra peça.
On signs and warnings:
Sinalização errada na rua — cuidado.
Portão errado — use o outro corredor.
Short dialogues for practice
Simple conversations help you hear natural use. Read them aloud and switch roles with a study partner.
At a bank counter:
Cliente: O valor está errado na minha fatura.
Atendente: Deixe eu verificar. Pode ser um erro no sistema.
Ordering food:
Cliente: O pedido veio errado.
Atendente: Desculpe, vamos refazer a sua comida.
Asking about a schedule:
Aluno: O horário da aula está errado no site.
Secretaria: Obrigada, vamos corrigir agora.
Negative forms and common verbs with errado/errada
You will often see errado and errada used with verbs like estar, ser, parecer, and ficar. Both estar and ser can be used depending on the nuance: estar indicates a temporary state, ser a more permanent or defining quality. Beginners usually use estar for temporary mistakes.
Examples:
O endereço está errado.
Isso parece errado.
Ele ficou errado na resposta. (less common: people prefer Ele errou)
Common expression with the verb errar:
Eu errei — I made a mistake. You can respond: Tudo bem, acontece.
Gender and number practice
Practice matching gender and number. Use simple nouns you already know: livro (m), mesa (f), bilhetes (m plural), cartas (f plural).
O livro está errado.
A mesa está errada.
Os bilhetes estão errados.
As cartas estão erradas.
Tip: When in doubt, identify the noun’s article first: o/a/um/uma/os/as. The article shows gender and number, so match the adjective to it.
Short phrases and signs you might read
These are practical phrases often found on forms, apps, and signs. Good to memorize for travel or daily use.
Campo obrigatório preenchido errado.
Informação errada no cadastro.
Dados pessoais errados — atualize.
Endereço errado detectado.
Common mistakes beginners make
Beginners often forget to match gender and number, or they try to translate directly from English word order. Here are frequent errors and how to fix them.
Mistake: Escrevi errado a resposta. More natural: Escrevi a resposta errada.
Fix: Place the adjective after the noun for clarity, especially if you are new to Portuguese.
Mistake: O problema está errada. Fix: O problema está errado.
Tip: Check the noun article: O problema (masculine) needs errado. A resposta (feminine) needs errada.
Practice exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form: errado, errada, errados, or erradas. Answers below each item.
1. A senha está _____.
Answer: errada
2. Os horários estão _____.
Answer: errados
3. O valor está _____.
Answer: errado
4. As informações estão _____.
Answer: erradas
Polite ways to point out mistakes
When telling someone something is wrong, politeness matters. Simple, polite expressions help in service situations.
Desculpe, mas está errado.
Perdão, a informação está errada.
Poderia verificar? Acho que veio errado.
These forms soften the statement and are useful when speaking with staff, teachers, or anyone you want to be respectful to.
Quick tips for remembering
Link the ending of the article with the ending of the adjective: o/a, -o/-a. Practice with common nouns you use every day: o carro — o carro está errado. a rua — a rua está errada.
Create flashcards with the noun on one side and the correct phrase on the other. Use short, realistic examples like the ones in this article.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use errado and errada is a practical early step in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on matching gender and number to the noun, use estar for temporary mistakes, and practice with real-life examples like messages, forms, and conversations. With short drills and polite phrases, you will quickly be able to point out and correct errors in everyday situations.
