Whenever you learn a new language, the most challenging part is often the verbs. Verbs are the “soul” of any sentence because they tell you what is happening, who is doing it, and when it is happening. If you are learning Portuguese, understanding verb conjugation is crucial This article is written to explain Portuguese verbs in a simple and practical way so that you can confidently use them in everyday conversations.
What are Verbs in Portuguese?
In Portuguese, a “verb” is a word that expresses an action, state, or feeling For example:
falar – to speak
comer – to eat
viver – to live
These words change their form when the tense, person, or number changes. Just like in Hindi, “I eat,” “he eats,” “they eat” — here the form of the verb “to eat” changes.
The same rule applies in Portuguese, but in a more structured way.
The Three Main Groups of Portuguese Verbs
Portuguese verbs are divided into three categories based on their infinitive endings (the last three letters of the base form):
| Group | Verb Ending | Examples | Meaning in Hindi |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Group | -AR | falar (to speak), amar (to love) | बोलना, प्यार करना |
| Second Group | -ER | comer (to eat), correr (to run) | खाना, दौड़ना |
| Third Group | -IR | abrir (to open), dormir (to sleep) | खोलना, सोना |
Verb Forms – Tense and Person
In Portuguese, verbs are conjugated according to Tense and Person.
| Person | Portuguese Word | Meaning in Hindi | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Person Singular | Eu | मैं | I |
| Second Person Singular (Informal) | Tu | तुम (अनौपचारिक) | You |
| Third Person Singular / Formal | Ele / Ela / Você | वह (पुरुष/महिला) / आप | He / She / You (formal) |
| First Person Plural | Nós | हम | We |
| Second Person Plural | Vós / Vocês | तुम सब / आप सब | You all |
| Third Person Plural | Eles / Elas | वे (पुरुष/महिला) | They |
Tenses
The most common tenses are:
Presente (Present Tense) – I speak
Pretérito (Past Tense) – I spoke
Futuro (Future Tense) – I will speak
Conjugation of the First Group (-AR Verbs)
Let’s understand the conjugation of the verb falar (to speak) in the present tense
| Person | Portuguese | Meaning in Hindi | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Person Singular | Eu falo | मैं बोलता हूँ | I speak |
| Second Person Singular | Tu falas | तुम बोलते हो | You speak |
| Third Person Singular / Formal | Ele / Ela / Você fala | वह / आप बोलते हैं | He / She / You speak |
| First Person Plural | Nós falamos | हम बोलते हैं | We speak |
| Second Person Plural | Vocês falam | आप सब बोलते हैं | You all speak |
| Third Person Plural | Eles / Elas falam | वे बोलते हैं | They speak |
Practical Importance of Portuguese Verb Conjugation
If you are learning Portuguese – whether for travel, work, or just out of interest – using verbs correctly will make your language sound more natural. When you use the correct verb conjugation, the other person immediately understands that you truly “feel” the language.
For example: “Eu falar português.” ❌ (Incorrect)
“Eu falo português.” ✅ (Correct)
It’s a small difference, but it determines whether you sound like a beginner or a fluent speaker!
Some Useful Conjugated Sentences for Conversation
- Eu quero aprender português. → I want to learn Portuguese.
- Nós comemos juntos. → We eat together.
- Ela vai ao trabalho. → She is going to work.
- Eles estão cansados. → They are tired.
- Você pode me ajudar? → Can you help me?
Conclusion – Learning Portuguese Verbs Isn’t Difficult
Portuguese verbs may seem complex at first, but once you understand their patterns, they become one of the most enjoyable parts of learning the language Practice a little every day, create short sentences, and try to use them in conversation Gradually, you’ll find that you’re no longer just expressing words in Portuguese, but also “ideas.”
