Portuguese pointing words for beginner sentence practice

Introduction

Pointing words help beginners describe location, proximity, and identity in practical sentences. This article explains Brazilian Portuguese pointing words used every day, shows clear examples, and gives simple practice sentences beginners can use right away.

What are Portuguese pointing words?

Pointing words are demonstratives and related expressions that indicate objects, people, places, and time in relation to speaker and listener. In Brazilian Portuguese, these include words like este, esse, aquele, and the adverbs aqui, aí, ali, lá. They are essential for asking directions, describing items in shops, giving instructions, and pointing out people or dates.

Basic demonstratives and their meanings

Demonstratives agree with gender and number of the noun they modify. For beginners, focus first on the masculine singular forms and adverbs, then expand.

este — near the speaker (this, masculine)

esta — near the speaker (this, feminine)

esse — near the listener or recently mentioned (that, masculine)

essa — near the listener or recently mentioned (that, feminine)

aquele — far from both (that over there, masculine)

aquela — far from both (that over there, feminine)

aqui — here (near speaker)

aí — there (near listener)

lá and ali — there/over there (farther away)

Pronouns and short pointing words beginners use first

As you progress, you’ll see pronoun versions used without repeating the noun: este can be a pronoun meaning this one, isso means that (near listener), and aquilo means that over there. Learn both adjective and pronoun uses.

isso — that (referring to something just mentioned or pointed at near listener)

aquilo — that over there (referring to something distant)

isto — this (neutral, often used for ideas or unknown gender)

Everyday vocabulary with pointing words

Here are common nouns paired with demonstratives a beginner will encounter in stores, restaurants, transport, and at home.

este livro — this book

essa caneta — that pen (near you)

aquele botão — that button over there

este celular — this phone

essa cadeira — that chair

aquela janela — that window over there

Simple example sentences for practice

Short practical examples help beginners memorize forms and contexts. Repeat them aloud, replace nouns, and change gender/number to practice agreement.

Speaker pointing to a book on the table:
Este livro é meu.

Shopkeeper pointing to a product near the customer:
Essa jaqueta está na promoção.

Pointing to a distant building:
Aquele prédio é o hotel.

Asking where something is when the listener is near it:
Onde está essa chave?

Indicating location near speaker:
As chaves estão aqui.

Indicating location near listener:
O mapa está aí?

Talking about something farther away:
Ali tem uma parada de ônibus.

Short practical dialogs using pointing words

These tiny dialogs show realistic exchanges at a shop, on the street, and in a cafe.

At a bakery:
Cliente: Esse pão é integral?
Vendedora: Não, este é branco. O pão integral está ali.

Asking for directions:
Turista: A estação fica aqui?
Morador: Não, a estação fica lá, duas quadras depois.

Cafe order:
Cliente: Posso pagar com este cartão?
Barista: Sim, pode.

Common signs and notices using pointing words

Understanding simple signage is very useful. These are short, beginner-friendly examples you might read on the street or in a store.

Entrada — next to door signs often have entrada and sometimes saída.

Estacionamento ali — parking over there

Caixa aqui — checkout here

Proibido estacionar — do not park (often paired with arrows or distances like ao lado)

Beginner tips to practice pointing words

Use these targeted tips to build confidence and accuracy quickly.

Label objects at home with sticky notes: write este or esta next to items near where you usually sit.

Create mini-dialogs: record yourself saying questions and answers using este, esse, and aquele.

Use maps and photos: point and describe locations using aqui, aí, and ali to reinforce adverb contrasts.

Practice gender agreement: choose a noun, say it with este/esta, and then change to plural estes/estas out loud.

Common beginner mistakes and how to fix them

Mistakes are normal. Here are predictable errors and simple corrections.

Mixing este and esse: Beginners often use them interchangeably. Tip: think about who is closer. If the item is closer to you say este. If it is closer to the listener say esse.

Forgetting gender agreement: Saying este cadeira is wrong. Correct: esta cadeira. Practice by pairing the demonstrative with common feminine nouns like mesa, cadeira, porta.

Using aí incorrectly: aí generally means near the listener or in the immediate area. If you mean right next to you say aqui. If it is clearly far, use ali or lá.

Mini practice set: replace words and translate

Do these quick exercises aloud. Replace the noun to practice agreement and then translate to English.

Original: Este copo está sujo. Replace copo with garrafa and say the sentence.

Original: Essa blusa é bonita. Replace blusa with casaco and change demonstrative if needed.

Original: Aquela loja fecha às oito. Replace loja with restaurante and repeat.

How to expand beyond the basics

After mastering simple forms, practice sentences combining pointing words with prepositions and verbs commonly used in service situations.

Examples:
O banheiro fica atrás daquela porta.
Posso provar esta camiseta?
Deixe a mala ali, por favor.

Listen for these structures in Brazilian media: short news bites, children’s programs, and travel videos often use basic demonstratives repeatedly in everyday contexts.

Quick reference: demonstratives chart (short)

This brief list helps you recall basic forms quickly while studying or traveling.

Near speaker: este, esta, isto, aqui

Near listener: esse, essa, isso, aí

Far from both: aquele, aquela, aquilo, ali, lá

Conclusion

Pointing words are small but powerful building blocks for everyday Portuguese. Learning este, esse, aquele, and the adverbs aqui, aí, ali helps beginners ask questions, follow directions, and describe objects clearly. Use short dialogs, labels, and photo practice to gain confidence quickly.