How to Use “Nem…nem” in Portuguese for Neither…Nor

Introduction

The Portuguese connector nem…nem is the simplest way to say neither…nor in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains how to use nem…nem step by step, with clear rules, authentic examples, and tips on register and pronunciation. By the end you will be able to use nem…nem confidently in sentences, questions, and negative responses.

What is nem…nem?

Nem…nem is a correlative conjunction used to join two or more negative items, actions, or descriptions. It functions like neither…nor in English and emphasizes exclusion or denial. Use nem…nem when you want to rule out multiple possibilities or list things that do not apply.

Basic structure:
nem + element 1 + nem + element 2

Examples are short and direct in Portuguese:

Nem eu nem ela sabia a resposta.

Nem chuva nem sol atrapalhou a festa.

How nem…nem differs from other negatives

Portuguese has several negative words and structures: não, nunca, ninguém, nada, and nem. Each has a specific use:

nem — used in pairs (or more) to join negative items: nem…nem (neither…nor)

não — general negation of verbs (do not, did not): não fui

nunca — never

ninguém — nobody

nada — nothing

Nem…nem often appears after a main negative verb or can itself carry negation when paired with a verb or noun. Compare:

Eu não gosto de café. — I do not like coffee.
Eu não gosto de café nem de chá. — I do not like coffee nor tea.
Nem eu nem ele gosta de café. — Neither I nor he likes coffee.

Placement rules: where to put nem…nem

1. Between subjects: Use nem…nem to connect two subjects. The verb agreement follows Portuguese rules (singular or plural depends on proximity or formality).

Nem ele nem eu vamos ao cinema hoje.

2. Between objects or complements: Connect objects or complements after the verb.

Ela não come nem peixe nem carne.

3. With verbs: You can use nem before conjugated verbs to negate multiple actions. Often the first nem follows a negation, but it can also stand alone in an emphatic structure.

Ele nem saiu nem ligou para avisar.

4. With adjectives and adverbs: Link descriptive words.

O filme não foi nem divertido nem emocionante.

Note on word order: Portuguese is flexible, but clarity matters. Keep parallel structures similar: both nouns, both verbs, etc.

Verb agreement and proximity rule

When nem…nem connects two subjects that require a verb, the verb can agree with the nearest subject (proximity agreement) or be plural if you want to emphasize both subjects equally. In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, singular verbs often agree with the closer subject, especially in speech.

Examples:

Nem eu nem ela fui ao evento. (colloquial—verb agrees with eu)
Nem eu nem ela fomos ao evento. (more balanced or formal—plural)

More natural options:

Nem eu nem ela foi. — Common in speech if the closest subject is singular.
Nem eu nem ela fomos. — Emphasizes both people going together (less common).

When the subjects are plural or obviously plural, use plural verbs:

Nem os alunos nem os professores estavam preparados.

Negation with não + nem…nem

You can combine não with nem…nem to add a stronger or clearer negation. In this pattern, não negates the verb while nem…nem lists items that are excluded.

Examples:

Eu não quero nem café nem chá. — I do not want coffee or tea.
Ela não foi nem ao cinema nem ao teatro. — She did not go to the cinema or the theater.

When using não, be careful with redundancy. Sometimes native speakers omit não when nem already clearly provides negation, especially in emphatic constructions:

Nem eu nem ele sabia. — Neither I nor he knew.
(Here nem alone indicates negation, so não is unnecessary.)

Using nem for emphasis and surprise

Nem can also function adverbially to emphasize that something did not even happen or to express surprise. In these cases it precedes a verb and sometimes appears without a second nem.

Examples:

Ele nem respondeu minha mensagem. — He didn’t even reply to my message.
Eu nem vi o carro passar. — I didn’t even see the car go by.

These uses are common in colloquial Brazilian Portuguese and add emotional color to a sentence.

Multiple items with nem…nem

You can list more than two items using repeated nem or by using nem for the first item and connecting the rest with commas and nem before the final item. Both patterns are acceptable, but repeated nem is clearer for emphasis.

Examples:

Ela não gosta nem de frutos do mar, nem de carne, nem de queijo.
Or
Ela não gosta nem de frutos do mar, de carne nem de queijo.

For clarity and rhythm, Brazilians often repeat nem between each item, especially in spoken language.

Questions and negative tags with nem…nem

In questions, nem…nem can be used to deny options or ask for confirmation. It often appears in rhetorical questions or when expressing annoyance.

Examples:

Você nem ligou nem mandou mensagem? — You neither called nor sent a message?
Nem eu nem ela participamos, certo? — Neither I nor she participated, right?

When forming negative tags in Portuguese, remember tag questions differ from English. Simple confirmation words like certo, não, né can follow the sentence.

Pronunciation tips and rhythm

Pronouncing nem…nem is straightforward: nem rhymes with English men but with a nasal vowel (like the n at the end is nasalized). In Brazilian Portuguese, speak naturally and avoid overemphasizing each nem; native rhythm often reduces the second nem slightly.

Listen to these rhythms:

Nem eu nem ela. — NAHM eh-oo NAHM eh-lah (nasal on nem)
Eu não quero nem café nem chá. — eh-oo nah-o keh-ro NAHM kah-FEH NAHM shah

Practice by repeating examples aloud and mimicking Brazilian speakers or audio from language apps.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Mixing up não and nem: Use não to negate verbs and nem…nem to connect excluded items. Both can appear together, but they are not interchangeable.

Wrong: Eu nem gosto de sorvete. (possible but ambiguous)
Better: Eu não gosto de sorvete. or Nem eu gosto de sorvete. depending on emphasis.

2. Verb agreement confusion: Remember proximity rule and plurality. When in doubt, use plural verb forms if you want to emphasize both subjects equally.

3. Using nem alone in formal writing: In formal contexts, pairing não with negation or using more formal structures might be preferred. Nem…nem is perfectly acceptable but can sound colloquial depending on the sentence.

Register and regional usage

Nem…nem is widely used throughout Brazil across registers. It is extremely common in spoken, informal Brazilian Portuguese. In formal writing, especially academic or legal texts, you may encounter alternatives like nem tampouco for neither…nor or the use of more explicit negative clauses.

Examples of slightly more formal alternatives:

Ele não fala inglês nem tampouco espanhol. — He speaks neither English nor Spanish.
Nem tampouco foi mencionado no relatório. — Nor was it mentioned in the report.

Remember that nem tampouco tends to sound more formal or literary.

Cultural and practical usage notes

Using nem…nem naturally will make your Portuguese sound more like a native speaker. Brazilians often use it to express humor, irony, or casual exclusion. You will hear it in everyday conversation, movies, soap operas (novelas), and social media.

Example in a conversational context:

Amigo 1: Você foi na festa ontem?
Amigo 2: Nem fui nem quis ir. Tava cansado.
Translation: Friend 1: Did you go to the party yesterday?
Friend 2: I neither went nor wanted to go. I was tired.

Note how the second speaker uses two verbs with nem to describe two related negative actions.

Quick reference: When to use each pattern

Nem…nem between subjects: Nem eu nem ele comparecemos.
Nem…nem between objects: Ela não come nem peixe nem frango.
Não + nem…nem for stronger negation: Eu não quero nem café nem chá.
Nem alone for emphasis (didn’t even): Ele nem olhou.
Multiple items: Ela não gosta nem de A, nem de B, nem de C.
Formal alternative: nem tampouco for literary emphasis.

Examples with translations

Nem João nem Maria foi à reunião.
Neither João nor Maria went to the meeting.

Eu não comprei nem pão nem leite.
I didn’t buy bread or milk.

Ela nem respondeu ao meu e-mail.
She didn’t even reply to my email.

Nem frio nem calor me atrapalha quando estou concentrado.
Neither cold nor heat bothers me when I’m focused.

Nem o professor nem os alunos entenderam a piada.
Neither the teacher nor the students understood the joke.

Practice tip for learners

To internalize nem…nem, replace English neither…nor sentences with Portuguese equivalents in daily practice. Try forming sentences about your routine, things you dislike, or things you did not do. Record yourself, compare with native speakers, and pay attention to verb agreement and natural rhythm.

Conclusion

Nem…nem is a versatile and frequent connector in Brazilian Portuguese for expressing neither…nor, exclusion, and emphasis. It works with subjects, objects, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Keep an eye on verb agreement, use não when needed for clarity, and remember colloquial rhythm. With practice you will be comfortable using nem…nem in everyday conversation and in more formal alternatives like nem tampouco.