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B1 noun 5 Min. Lesezeit

em volta de

When we talk about something being em volta de, we're describing its position relative to another object. Imagine a circle; if something is em volta de the center, it's positioned on that circular path.

This phrase often implies an encircling or surrounding action. For example, if you're talking about people gathered em volta da mesa, it means they are sitting or standing around the table, forming a group that encloses it.

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§ What "em volta de" means

"Em volta de" means "around" or "surrounding" in Portuguese. It's a useful phrase to describe location or movement in a circular path. Think of it as indicating something is encircling or in the vicinity of something else. It's quite versatile and you'll hear it often.

Definition: Around; surrounding.

§ How to use it in a sentence — grammar, prepositions

"Em volta de" is a prepositional phrase. This means it connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence, usually to show location or direction. The structure is pretty straightforward: verb + em volta de + noun/pronoun.

Let's look at some examples to make it clear:

As crianças corriam em volta da mesa. (The children ran around the table.)

Here, "da" is a contraction of "de" + "a" (the feminine singular definite article). This is very common in Portuguese. "Em volta de" will often contract with the following article.

Havia muitas árvores em volta da casa. (There were many trees around the house.)

Again, "da" contracts with the feminine noun "casa."

Ele andou em volta do lago para ver a paisagem. (He walked around the lake to see the landscape.)

Notice "do" here, which is the contraction of "de" + "o" (the masculine singular definite article) for the masculine noun "lago."

Let's practice with some different scenarios:

Describing position: When something is located around another object.

A cerca estava em volta do jardim. (The fence was around the garden.)

Describing movement: When someone or something moves in a circular path.

O cachorro girou em volta do próprio rabo. (The dog spun around its own tail.)

Referring to people: When people gather around someone or something.

Todos se reuniram em volta do fogo. (Everyone gathered around the fire.)

You might also see it used without an article if the following noun doesn't require one, such as with proper nouns or some abstract nouns:

O planeta gira em volta de sua estrela. (The planet revolves around its star.)

In this case, "sua estrela" (its star) is a possessive, so no definite article is needed immediately after "de."

§ Understanding 'em volta de'

Alright, let's talk about "em volta de." This phrase is incredibly useful and you'll hear it all the time. It means "around" or "surrounding." Think of it as describing something that encircles another thing, whether physically or metaphorically. It's not a complicated phrase, but getting comfortable with its usage will make your Portuguese sound much more natural.

DEFINITION: Around; surrounding.

§ At work and in the office

In a work setting, you might use "em volta de" to talk about colleagues, projects, or even the office layout. It's quite common when describing physical arrangements or group activities.

Describing seating arrangements:

Todos os funcionários sentaram-se em volta da mesa de conferências. (All the employees sat around the conference table.)

Talking about a general area or people:

Havia muitos colegas em volta do chefe, fazendo perguntas. (There were many colleagues around the boss, asking questions.)

§ In school and academic contexts

When you're at school, this phrase comes up often. Think about discussions, group projects, or even describing the campus. It's versatile for both abstract and concrete situations.

Discussing topics:

A aula de história girou em volta da Segunda Guerra Mundial. (The history class revolved around World War II.)

Describing campus life:

Sempre há estudantes em volta da biblioteca, estudando ou conversando. (There are always students around the library, studying or talking.)

§ In the news and everyday conversations

News reports often use "em volta de" to describe events happening in a specific area or to summarize a central theme. In casual chats, it's perfect for talking about crowds, places, or general observations.

Reporting on events:

As notícias recentes têm girado em volta da nova lei. (The recent news has revolved around the new law.)

Describing a scene:

Havia uma grande multidão em volta do palco no concerto. (There was a large crowd around the stage at the concert.)

General observation:

Sempre tem gente correndo em volta do parque pela manhã. (There are always people running around the park in the morning.)

As you can see, "em volta de" is incredibly versatile. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in different contexts, and don't be afraid to try it out yourself. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.