Introduction
Understanding how Portuguese combines demonstratives and prepositions can unlock smoother, more natural speech. This article explains the logic behind contractions formed when prepositions meet demonstratives, provides clear rules, and shows real Brazilian Portuguese examples. Mastering these contractions makes listening and speaking more natural for learners at the beginner to intermediate level.
- What are demonstratives and prepositions?
- What is a contraction in Portuguese?
- Contractions with the preposition de
- Contractions with the preposition a
- Contractions with the preposition em
- Other prepositions and their behavior
- How to choose between este, esse, and aquele
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Pronunciation tips
- Cultural and usage notes
- Quick reference table (memory aid)
- Putting it all together
- Conclusion
What are demonstratives and prepositions?
Before we study contractions, we need to know the parts involved. Demonstratives point to things and answer where or which one. In Portuguese the main demonstratives are este, esta, isto, esse, essa, isso, aquele, aquela, and aquilo. They change with gender and sometimes with proximity.
Prepositions are words that show relationships like location, direction, time, or possession. Common prepositions include a, de, em, por, para, com, and sin less commonly in Brazilian Portuguese. Many of these prepositions contract with other words in natural speech and writing.
What is a contraction in Portuguese?
In Portuguese a contraction is the fusion of a preposition and another word into a single form. Contractions improve flow and are required in standard written and spoken Portuguese. With demonstratives the most common contractions involve prepositions a and de, and sometimes em. You will see contracted forms much more often than separate preposition + demonstrative combinations in everyday Brazilian Portuguese.
Why contractions matter for learners
Contractions are frequent in conversation, in news, and in informal writing. Recognizing them helps with comprehension and using them correctly improves fluency. Mistakes with contractions can sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect, so learning the patterns is essential.
Contractions with the preposition de
The preposition de means of, from, or about. With demonstratives it contracts to create forms that express origin, possession, or relation. The contractions are:
de + este = deste
de + esta = desta
de + isto = disto
de + esse = desse
de + essa = dessa
de + isso = disso
de + aquele = daquele
de + aquela = daquela
de + aquilo = daquilo
These forms replace the separate preposition and demonstrative in most contexts. They are used to say things like of this, from that, about that idea, or of that person.
Examples with de + demonstrative
O significado deste livro é claro.
O projeto desse mês foi cancelado.
Você ouviu falar disso?
Note how deste and desse are used depending on proximity. Desse typically refers to something nearer to the listener or previously mentioned, while deste often refers to something near the speaker or being presented now.
Contractions with the preposition a
The preposition a can mean to, at, or toward. When it combines with demonstratives, the contractions are:
a + este = a este → often contracted to ao este in older or poetic forms? No. The common mandatory contraction is a + o and a + a with definite articles, not demonstratives. With demonstratives however, many speakers use separate forms in careful speech: a + este = a este, a + esse = a esse, a + aquele = a aquele. But in everyday Brazilian Portuguese the more common pattern is to use a + demonstrative unchanged when the demonstrative does not have an article.
Important note: Contractions with a are much more frequent when the preposition meets the definite article (a + o = ao, a + a = à) rather than with demonstratives. For demonstratives, Portuguese keeps the preposition separate in writing and formal speech, though colloquial speech can blur boundaries.
Examples using a + demonstrative
Vou a este lugar amanhã.
Entreguei a essa pessoa o documento.
Ele foi a aquele evento no sábado.
These sentences are grammatically correct and common in Brazilian Portuguese. You will also hear variants where speakers use reduced pronunciation, but written language keeps the preposition and demonstrative separate.
Contractions with the preposition em
The preposition em means in, on, or at. With demonstratives it contracts as follows:
em + este = neste
em + esta = nesta
em + isto = nisto
em + esse = nesse
em + essa = nessa
em + isso = nisso
em + aquele = naquele
em + aquela = naquela
em + aquilo = naquilo
These contractions are very common and are used for locations, moments in time, and abstract contexts referring to ideas or things.
Examples with em + demonstrative
Estou neste restaurante agora.
Ela acredita nisso.
Moramos naquele bairro por dois anos.
Observe how neste often implies proximity to the speaker while nesse typically connects to something near the listener or previously mentioned. Naquele points to something more distant in space or time.
Other prepositions and their behavior
Some other prepositions also contract with demonstratives less frequently. Here are key examples:
por + esse = por esse (usually unchanged)
para + esse = para esse (unchanged)
com + este = com este (unchanged)
Brazilian Portuguese generally does not contract these prepositions with demonstratives. However, with definite articles contractions are common: por + o = pelo, para + a = para a (no contraction in modern Portuguese; em + o = no, em + a = na).
Example sentences for other prepositions
Falei por esse motivo com ele.
Vou para esse bairro amanhã.
Ela trouxe o presente com esta etiqueta.
Although these remain intact, spoken Brazilian Portuguese sometimes merges sounds, but writing keeps these parts separate for clarity.
How to choose between este, esse, and aquele
Choosing the correct demonstrative is essential for meaning. A simple guide:
Este/esta/isto — refers to something close to the speaker or something being introduced now.
Esse/essa/isso — refers to something close to the listener or something already mentioned.
Aquele/aquela/aquilo — refers to something distant from both speaker and listener in space or time.
Examples:
Este carro é meu.
Você viu esse carro ontem?
Aquele carro da esquina é antigo.
When these demonstratives combine with prepositions, the same proximity rules apply. Contractions like desse and nesse reflect the original demonstrative meaning.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Many learners confuse when to contract and when to keep words separate. Key tips:
1. Use de + demonstrative contractions (deste/desse/daquele, etc.) always in spoken and written Portuguese when indicating origin, possession, or relation.
2. Use em + demonstrative contractions (neste/nesse/naquele, etc.) whenever you mean in/on/at plus a demonstrative.
3. With a + demonstrative keep them separate in standard Brazilian Portuguese writing (a este/a esse/a aquele) though speech may reduce pronunciation.
4. Don’t try to invent contractions for prepositions that don’t contract with demonstratives (por, para, com remain separate).
Incorrect and correct examples
Incorrect: Vou ao esse lugar.
Correct: Vou a esse lugar.
Incorrect: Falamos nele desse assunto. (awkward)
Correct: Falamos desse assunto.
Incorrect: Ela estava no isto. (nonsense)
Correct: Ela estava neste documento ou Ela falou nisso.
Pronunciation tips
Contractions often make pronunciation easier because they reduce the number of syllables. Listen for these patterns:
deste pronounced roughly as DEHS-chee or DEH-stee depending on regional accent.
desse pronounced as DEH-see.
neste pronounced as NEHS-chee.
nesse pronounced as NEH-see.
naquele pronounced as nah-KEH-lee or nah-KEH-luh in casual speech.
Brazilian Portuguese has regional variations in vowel quality and rhythm, but contractions remain recognizable across regions.
Cultural and usage notes
In Brazilian Portuguese media, newspapers, and formal writing, contractions are standard and consistently used. In casual speech, people may reduce syllables or link words more strongly, but the contracted forms listed earlier are still what you will see in writing.
Also notice that some speakers favor esse in contexts where European Portuguese might prefer aquele or vice versa. Familiarize yourself with Brazilian usage by listening to TV shows, podcasts, and conversations to get a feel for living patterns.
Quick reference table (memory aid)
de + demonstrative → use: deste/desse/daquele
em + demonstrative → use: neste/nesse/naquele
a + demonstrative → usually separate: a este/a esse/a aquele
other prepositions (por, para, com) → usually unchanged with demonstratives
Putting it all together
When you read or listen, first identify the preposition and demonstrative. Ask: does this preposition commonly contract with the demonstrative? If it is de or em, expect a contraction and learn the matching form. If it is a with a demonstrative, write them separately in formal contexts. For por, para, com, keep them separate. Always pay attention to context to choose este/esse/aquele correctly according to proximity and discourse.
Conclusion
Mastering contractions between demonstratives and prepositions is a practical step toward fluency in Brazilian Portuguese. Remember that de and em regularly form contractions with demonstratives, while a usually stays separate. Learn common contracted forms like deste, desse, neste, and nesse, and practice recognizing them in real sentences. With exposure and listening practice you will start using these forms naturally and understand them instantly when you hear them.
