Bedeutung
Used to present an alternative to a previously mentioned action.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Brazilian TV news (like Jornal Nacional), 'ao invés de' is used frequently to create a sense of gravity and importance in reporting. Portuguese speakers in Lisbon tend to be more conservative with this phrase, using 'em vez de' for 90% of situations and saving 'ao invés de' for literary or highly formal contrast. In African Lusophone countries, the formal register often mirrors the European standard, maintaining the distinction between opposition and substitution in official documents. In university entrance exams (Vestibular) in Brazil, using 'ao invés de' correctly (only for opposites) can earn you extra points for 'norma culta' mastery.
The 'Opposite' Test
If you can't find an opposite meaning, stick to 'em vez de'. It's never wrong, whereas 'ao invés de' can be technically incorrect.
Nasal Vowels
Make sure to nasalize the 'in' in 'invés'. If you pronounce it like 'een', it might sound like a different word.
Bedeutung
Used to present an alternative to a previously mentioned action.
The 'Opposite' Test
If you can't find an opposite meaning, stick to 'em vez de'. It's never wrong, whereas 'ao invés de' can be technically incorrect.
Nasal Vowels
Make sure to nasalize the 'in' in 'invés'. If you pronounce it like 'een', it might sound like a different word.
Formal Emails
Use 'ao invés de' in formal emails to show you have a high command of the language. It impresses Brazilian recruiters.
Teste dich selbst
Escolha a opção que melhor completa a frase em um contexto formal.
________ de reduzir os impostos, o governo decidiu aumentá-los.
Since 'reduzir' (reduce) and 'aumentar' (increase) are opposites, 'Ao invés de' is the most precise choice.
Preencha a lacuna com a contração correta (do, da, dos, das).
Ao invés ________ (o) silêncio que esperávamos, encontramos uma festa barulhenta.
'De' + 'o' = 'do'.
Complete a resposta de forma formal.
Chefe: 'Você terminou o relatório?' Funcionário: 'Não, ________ de terminar o relatório, tive que atender um cliente urgente.'
The employee is presenting an alternative action that took place.
Combine a frase com o contexto mais provável.
'Ao invés de recuar, as tropas avançaram.'
Receding and advancing are tactical military opposites.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ao Invés De vs. Em Vez De
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben________ de reduzir os impostos, o governo decidiu aumentá-los.
Since 'reduzir' (reduce) and 'aumentar' (increase) are opposites, 'Ao invés de' is the most precise choice.
Ao invés ________ (o) silêncio que esperávamos, encontramos uma festa barulhenta.
'De' + 'o' = 'do'.
Chefe: 'Você terminou o relatório?' Funcionário: 'Não, ________ de terminar o relatório, tive que atender um cliente urgente.'
The employee is presenting an alternative action that took place.
'Ao invés de recuar, as tropas avançaram.'
Receding and advancing are tactical military opposites.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it generally carries a more formal tone than 'em vez de'.
Absolutely. It is very common with the infinitive: 'Ao invés de chorar, riu'.
'Ao invés de' is for opposites; 'em vez de' is for any substitution.
It depends on the noun. Use 'do' if the noun is masculine singular (de + o).
In Brazil, yes, but often 'incorrectly' as a synonym for 'em vez de'.
Yes, it is a very common way to start a sentence to set up a contrast.
Yes, but they are stricter about the 'opposites' rule.
Using it for things that aren't opposites, like 'Ao invés de azul, prefiro verde'.
Like an 's' in 'sun' if a pause follows, or like a 'z' if the next word starts with a vowel.
Not really, slang usually simplifies to 'em vez de' or 'no lugar de'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Em vez de
similarInstead of
Pelo contrário
builds onOn the contrary
Em lugar de
synonymIn place of
Contrariamente a
specialized formContrary to
Diferentemente de
contrastUnlike
