Introduction
Learning small words can unlock big understanding in Portuguese. This article explains how to use the demonstrative pronoun Aquilo in Brazilian Portuguese for complete beginners. You will learn forms, everyday examples, common mistakes, and simple exercises to practice.
- What is Aquilo and when to use it?
- Forms and related demonstratives
- Common beginner phrases using Aquilo
- Short dialogues for practice
- How to form sentences: simple patterns
- Common mistakes beginners make
- Mini exercises to practice
- Useful vocabulary related to Aquilo
- Practical tips for remembering Aquilo
- Short cultural and situational notes
- Conclusion
What is Aquilo and when to use it?
Aquilo is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to something that is far from both the speaker and the listener, or to refer to an idea or thing previously mentioned. It is neutral in gender and often translates to English as that (over there) or that thing.
Use aquilo when you point out something distant in space or when referring to something abstract, like an idea, event, or situation that was discussed earlier.
Basic meaning with a physical object
If an object is far from both people in the conversation, use Aquilo. This is common when you are looking at a distant object or indicating something across the room or street.
Example:
Aquilo é uma loja nova naquela rua.
Translation: That over there is a new store on that street.
Basic meaning with an abstract concept
Aquilo is also used to refer to an idea or previously mentioned situation. When you summarize or point back to a fact or opinion, aquilo works well.
Example:
Eu não gostei da reunião. Aquilo foi confuso.
Translation: I did not like the meeting. That was confusing.
Forms and related demonstratives
Demonstratives in Brazilian Portuguese change depending on proximity. For beginners, the three main pronouns to compare are este, esse, and Aquilo.
este = this (near speaker)
esse = that (near listener or neutral recent reference)
Aquilo = that over there / that (far from both)
Understanding this distance concept helps you choose the correct word. Aquilo often implies greater distance or a more detached reference than esse.
Examples contrasting the three
Example 1: You hold a book
Eu gosto deste livro.
Example 2: Someone next to you holds a phone
Você pode pegar esse telefone?
Example 3: A poster across the square
Aquilo é um cartaz gigante.
Common beginner phrases using Aquilo
These short phrases are realistic for a beginner to hear or use in daily life. Memorize and practice them.
Aquilo é caro.
Translation: That over there is expensive.
Eu não entendi aquilo.
Translation: I did not understand that.
Você viu aquilo?
Translation: Did you see that?
Não toque aquilo.
Translation: Do not touch that.
Falei sobre aquilo ontem.
Translation: I talked about that yesterday.
Short dialogues for practice
These tiny dialogues simulate situations where you can naturally use Aquilo. Read them aloud to internalize rhythm and pronunciation.
Dialogue 1 — On the street
Pessoa A: Você viu aquela loja?
Pessoa B: Não. Aquilo é novo?
Translation: Person A: Did you see that shop? Person B: No. Is that new?
Dialogue 2 — At a meeting
Pessoa A: Havia muitos pontos confusos na apresentação.
Pessoa B: Sim, aquilo precisa ser esclarecido.
Translation: Person A: There were many confusing points in the presentation. Person B: Yes, that needs to be clarified.
How to form sentences: simple patterns
Beginner-friendly sentence structures with Aquilo usually follow these patterns.
Pattern 1 — Aquilo + verb + complement
Aquilo é perigoso.
Translation: That is dangerous.
Pattern 2 — Verb + preposition + aquilo
Eu falei sobre aquilo ontem.
Translation: I talked about that yesterday.
Pattern 3 — Question with aquilo
Você viu aquilo?
Translation: Did you see that?
Notes on word order and emphasis
Portuguese word order is flexible. Placing Aquilo at the beginning highlights it. Using it after a preposition or verb makes it part of the phrase and less emphasized.
Example emphasized:
Aquilo me assustou.
Example neutral:
Aquilo me assustou ontem.
Common mistakes beginners make
Recognizing typical errors helps you avoid them.
Mistake 1 — Using aquilo for nearby objects: Beginners sometimes use aquilo when the object is near the speaker. Use este or essa instead.
Incorrect:
Aquilo é meu caderno (pointing to a notebook in your hands).
Correct:
Este é o meu caderno.
Mistake 2 — Confusing aquilo with esse: Use esse for things closer to the listener or recently mentioned, and aquilo for distant or more detached references.
Incorrect:
Você lembra aquilo que eu disse agora? (if the person is right in front of you)
Better:
Você lembra daquilo que eu disse agora? or Você lembra disso?
Mistake 3 — Overusing aquilo for everything: Beginners may default to aquilo. It is important to match distance and context to sound natural.
Mini exercises to practice
Do these simple exercises aloud or write answers to reinforce usage. Check your answers below.
Exercise 1 — Choose the correct demonstrative:
1. (___) é meu copo? [object far across the table]
2. (___) é o seu telefone? [person next to you holding a phone]
3. (___) que você disse ontem é importante. [referring to an earlier remark]
Answers: 1. Aquilo 2. Esse 3. Aquilo
Exercise 2 — Translate to Portuguese using Aquilo:
1. Did you see that poster over there?
2. That was a good idea.
3. I talked about that last week.
Suggested answers:
1. Você viu aquilo em cima do muro? (or Você viu aquilo?)
2. Aquilo foi uma boa ideia.
3. Eu falei sobre aquilo na semana passada.
Useful vocabulary related to Aquilo
These words often appear with Aquilo in beginner situations.
lá — over there
aqui — here
isso — that (near listener or neutral reference)
isto — this (near speaker)
aquilo mesmo — exactly that / that very thing
Short phrases combining vocabulary
Eu vi aquilo lá.
Translation: I saw that over there.
Isso é diferente daquilo.
Translation: This is different from that.
Não lembro daquilo agora.
Translation: I do not remember that right now.
Practical tips for remembering Aquilo
Tip 1 — Visual distance trick: When you learn a demonstrative, visualize distance. Aquilo = far from both people.
Tip 2 — Use physical practice: Point to distant objects and say sentences with Aquilo.
Tip 3 — Pair with lá: Saying Aquilo lá reinforces distance. Example:
Aquilo lá é bonito.
When native speakers shorten or replace it
In casual speech, Brazilians sometimes use isso or aquilo interchangeably depending on tone. For beginners, learning the distinct distance rule is best. You will hear native variation over time.
Short cultural and situational notes
In everyday Brazilian contexts like shops, streets, classrooms, and chats, Aquilo appears in comments about things not near the conversation. It also appears when summarizing a topic in informal meetings or messages. Practice with real-life scenarios like market shopping, bus stops, and school to recognize natural usage.
Conclusion
Mastering Aquilo gives you confidence to point out distant objects and refer to past ideas with clarity. Remember the distance rule, contrast with este and esse, learn a few ready-made phrases, and practice with short dialogues and exercises. With these beginner steps, you will start hearing and using aquilo correctly in Brazilian Portuguese.
