A2 · Elemental Capítulo 2

Essential Irregular Verbs

4 Reglas totales
44 ejemplos
7 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the four essential irregular verbs that form the backbone of everyday Portuguese conversation and movement.

  • Conjugate 'vir', 'trazer', 'dizer', and 'pôr' in the present tense.
  • Distinguish between coming (vir) and bringing (trazer) in social contexts.
  • Use 'pôr' and its common derivatives like 'propor' or 'compor'.
Stop translating, start flowing with Portuguese's most powerful verbs.

Lo que aprenderás

Ready to take your Portuguese beyond the basics? You've already built a fantastic foundation, and now it's time to dive into some of the most frequently used — and most crucial — irregular verbs that will make your conversations truly flow. Don't worry, they're not as scary as they sound; we'll break them down together! In this exciting chapter, you'll master four powerhouse verbs: 'vir' (to come), 'trazer' (to bring), 'dizer' (to say/tell), and 'pôr' (to put). Imagine confidently telling a friend, 'My friend is coming over' (vir), without a second thought, or offering, 'I'll bring that for you' (trazer) with ease. You'll learn the unique conjugations of 'dizer' so you can clearly express your thoughts, like 'I say that...' And get ready for 'pôr'! This versatile verb, along with its many derivatives, will unlock a whole new level of expressing actions like placing and setting. These aren't just any verbs; they're the backbone of daily communication. Whether you're making plans, asking for something, sharing an opinion, or describing where something is, these verbs are essential. Mastering them means you'll stop translating in your head and start speaking more naturally and spontaneously. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently talk about who's coming, what you're bringing, what you want to say, and how to put things in their place. Get ready to boost your Portuguese fluency and express yourself like a true local!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to invite someone over using the correct form of 'vir'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to describe what you are bringing to a party using 'trazer'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to report what someone else is saying using 'dizer'.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to organize a space by using 'pôr' to describe placing items.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Welcome to an exciting step in your Portuguese grammar A2 journey! You've successfully navigated the basics, and now it's time to supercharge your communication skills by tackling some of the most essential — and frequently used — irregular verbs. Don't let the word irregular intimidate you; these verbs are incredibly common, meaning that mastering them will unlock a significant leap in your ability to speak naturally and confidently.
This chapter is designed to make these seemingly tricky verbs approachable and easy to understand.
We're focusing on four powerhouse verbs: vir (to come), trazer (to bring), dizer (to say/tell), and pôr (to put). These aren't just random verbs; they are the bedrock of daily conversations. Think about how often you talk about people coming over, bringing something, saying what you think, or putting things in their place.
By learning their unique conjugations and common uses, you'll stop translating in your head and start expressing yourself with the fluidity of a native speaker.
This guide is perfect for A2 Portuguese learners looking to solidify their foundation and expand their conversational repertoire. By the end, you'll be able to confidently use these irregular verbs Portuguese in various contexts, making your Portuguese sound much more authentic and expressive. Get ready to boost your fluency and confidently navigate everyday interactions!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the fascinating world of these essential irregular verbs, breaking down their conjugations and common uses. Understanding these patterns is key to mastering Portuguese conjugation and speaking more naturally.
Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR
The verb vir means to come. It's irregular, especially in the present tense. It's crucial to distinguish it from ir (to go). You *come* towards the speaker, and you *go* away from the speaker.
* Eu venho (I come)
* Tu vens (You come - informal)
* Ele/Ela/Você vem (He/She/You come - formal)
* Nós vimos (We come)
* Vós vindes (You all come - formal/plural, rarely used in Brazil)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês vêm (They/You all come - formal/plural)
* Example: Eu venho de Portugal. (I come from Portugal.)
* Example: Vocês vêm à festa? (Are you all coming to the party?)
The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
Trazer means to bring and is irregular, particularly in its eu form. It's used when something is being moved towards the speaker or a designated location.
* Eu trago (I bring)
* Tu trazes (You bring)
* Ele/Ela/Você traz (He/She/You bring)
* Nós trazemos (We bring)
* Vós trazeis (You all bring)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês trazem (They/You all bring)
* Example: Eu trago os livros amanhã. (I'll bring the books tomorrow.)
* Example: Ele traz o bolo para a festa. (He brings the cake for the party.)
Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
The verb dizer means to say or to tell and is highly irregular, especially in the first person singular. It's fundamental for expressing thoughts and relaying information.
* Eu digo (I say/tell)
* Tu dizes (You say/tell)
* Ele/Ela/Você diz (He/She/You say/tell)
* Nós dizemos (We say/tell)
* Vós dizeis (You all say/tell)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês dizem (They/You all say/tell)
* Example: Eu digo a verdade. (I tell the truth.)
* Example: O que você diz sobre isso? (What do you say about that?)
The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives
Pôr means to put or to place and is one of the most irregular verbs in Portuguese, even having an –or ending instead of the typical -ar, -er, -ir. Its derivatives (like compor - to compose, dispor - to dispose, propor - to propose) follow similar irregular patterns.
* Eu ponho (I put)
* Tu pões (You put)
* Ele/Ela/Você põe (He/She/You put)
* Nós pomos (We put)
* Vós pondes (You all put)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês põem (They/You all put)
* Example: Eu ponho a mesa para o jantar. (I set the table for dinner.)
* Example: Ele propõe uma nova ideia. (He proposes a new idea.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Eu vou para a sua casa.
    (meaning "I'm coming to your house")
✓ Correct:
Eu venho à sua casa.
(I'm coming to your house.)
*Explanation:* Vir (to come) is used when the direction of movement is towards the speaker or the place where the speaker is or will be. Ir (to go) implies movement away from the speaker. In English, we often use go for this, but in Portuguese, vir is correct when you're moving towards the listener's location.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Eu trago a verdade.
    (meaning
    I say the truth
    )
✓ Correct:
Eu digo a verdade.
(I tell the truth.)
*Explanation:* Trazer means to bring a physical object or concept, while dizer means to say or to tell words or information. Confusing the two can lead to nonsensical sentences.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Eu pôr o livro na mesa.
✓ Correct:
Eu ponho o livro na mesa.
(I put the book on the table.)
*Explanation:* The infinitive form pôr is not used as a conjugated verb in the present tense. The correct first-person singular present tense conjugation is ponho. This is a very common error due to the highly irregular nature of this verb.

Real Conversations

A

A

Oi, Maria! Você vem para a minha festa amanhã? (Hi, Maria! Are you coming to my party tomorrow?)
B

B

Claro! Eu trago umas bebidas. (Of course! I'll bring some drinks.)
A

A

O que você diz sobre o novo filme? (What do you say about the new movie?)
B

B

Eu digo que é muito bom, mas um pouco longo. (I say it's very good, but a bit long.)
A

A

Onde eu ponho as chaves, por favor? (Where do I put the keys, please?)
B

B

Você pode pôr na mesinha da entrada. (You can put them on the small table by the entrance.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Why are vir and ir so often confused by A2 Portuguese learners?

They are confused because English often uses go in situations where Portuguese requires vir (to come), especially when the destination is the listener's location. Understanding the direction relative to the speaker is key.

Q

What's the main difference between dizer and falar in Portuguese?

Dizer means to say or to tell (what was said), often implying content or specific words. Falar means to speak or to talk, focusing on the act of speaking or communication in general.

Q

Are there other common derivatives of pôr that I should know?

Yes, many! Some common ones include compor (to compose), depor (to depose), expor (to expose), impor (to impose), propor (to propose), and supor (to suppose). Their conjugations often follow a similar irregular pattern to pôr.

Cultural Context

These irregular verbs Portuguese are deeply embedded in daily interactions. Vir and trazer are essential for social invitations and offers, reflecting the warmth and hospitality common in Portuguese-speaking cultures. Dizer is foundational for expressing opinions, sharing news, and storytelling, which are central to social bonding.
Pôr is incredibly versatile, used not just for physically placing objects but also in many idiomatic expressions, like pôr a mesa (to set the table) or pôr um fim (to put an end to). Mastering them allows you to participate more authentically in everyday conversations and understand subtle nuances in communication.

Ejemplos clave (2)

1

A que horas vens cá a casa?

¿A qué hora vienes a casa?

Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir
2

Eles vêm de carro ou de metro?

¿Vienen en auto o en metro?

Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir

Consejos y trucos (4)

⚠️

Alerta de falso amigo: Vimos

Ten cuidado: Nós vimos puede significar 'Venimos' (presente) o 'Vimos' (pasado de ver). Fíjate en el contexto:
Nós vimos hoje
frente a
Nós vimos ontem.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir
🎯

El truco de la 'G'

Si ya conoces 'fazer' (faço) o 'dizer' (digo), ¡genial! El verbo 'trazer' se une al club con Eu trago. Muchos verbos irregulares cambian su consonante en la primera persona.
Eu trago um presente.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El verbo Trazer: Traer cosas hacia ti (trazer)
💡

El truco de la 'G'

Solo la primera persona lleva 'G'. Piensa en 'diGo' como algo que tú haces:
Eu digo tudo agora.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diciendo cosas: El verbo Dizer (Decir)
💬

¿Brasil o Portugal?

En Brasil escucharás mucho el verbo botar en charlas relajadas, pero en Portugal prefieren usar siempre pôr. Por ejemplo:
Bota a mesa aí.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El irregular 'Poner': Pôr y derivados

Vocabulario clave (6)

cá / aqui here a verdade the truth a mesa the table cedo early presente gift / present sempre always

Real-World Preview

home

Inviting a friend over

utensils

Setting the scene

Review Summary

  • Eu venho, Você vem, Nós vimos, Eles vêm
  • Eu trago, Você traz, Nós trazemos, Eles trazem
  • Eu digo, Você diz, Nós dizemos, Eles dizem
  • Eu ponho, Você põe, Nós pomos, Eles põem

Errores comunes

Confusing 'vir' (to come) with 'ver' (to see). 'Vejo' means 'I see', while 'Venho' means 'I come'.

Wrong: Eu vejo aqui amanhã.
Correcto: Eu venho aqui amanhã.

Using 'trazer' (bring) instead of 'levar' (take). Use 'trazer' only if the object is coming toward the speaker's current location.

Wrong: Eu trago o livro para a escola.
Correcto: Eu levo o livro para a escola.

Using the infinitive 'por' (or the preposition 'por') instead of the conjugated form 'ponho'. Remember the 'nh' in the first person!

Wrong: Eu por o livro na mesa.
Correcto: Eu ponho o livro na mesa.

Next Steps

You've just tackled some of the trickiest verbs in the language. With these under your belt, your Portuguese is becoming much more dynamic and natural. Keep practicing these forms—they are the keys to the city!

Write 5 sentences about what you 'say' and 'bring' to your Portuguese class.

Record yourself saying the conjugations of 'pôr' to practice the nasal 'õe' sound.

Continue to: Direction, Purpose & Deadlines

Práctica rápida (6)

Completa el espacio con la forma correcta de 'Dizer'.

Eu ___ que isso é uma má ideia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: digo
La forma para 'Eu' es irregular y cambia la 'z' por 'g'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diciendo cosas: El verbo Dizer (Decir)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu vem ao cinema?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu vens ao cinema?
'Tu' requiere la conjugación 'vens'. 'Vem' se usa para 'Ele/Ela/Você'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir

¿Cuál frase es la correcta?

Selecciona la traducción para 'Él dice hola'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele diz olá.
'Dizer' se usa para palabras específicas como saludos, y 'diz' es la forma correcta para él.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diciendo cosas: El verbo Dizer (Decir)

Rellena el espacio con la forma correcta de 'vir'.

Eu ___ de Portugal.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: venho
Para la primera persona 'Eu' (Yo), la forma irregular es 'venho'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir

Selecciona la forma plural correcta.

Eles ___ à festa amanhã.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vêm
'Vêm' (con acento) es 'ellos vienen'. 'Veem' (doble e) es 'ellos ven'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ir vs. Venir: El verbo Vir

Encuentra y corrige el error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Tu dizes que sim, mas eles dize que não.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu dizes que sim, mas eles dizem que não.
Para 'Eles' (ellos), necesitamos la terminación plural '-em', resultando en 'dizem'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diciendo cosas: El verbo Dizer (Decir)

Score: /6

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Vêm (una 'e' + acento) viene de vir (venir). Veem (dos 'e') viene de ver (mirar). Piensa que necesitas dos ojos ('ee') para ver.
El verbo vir es muy irregular. De hecho, viro significa 'yo giro' (del verbo virar), así que Eu venho evita que des vueltas en círculos.
Significa 'traer'. Se usa cuando algo o alguien se mueve hacia donde estás tú.
Você traz o pão?
No, es irregular. La forma de 'yo' cambia a trago y la tercera persona es traz.
Es una irregularidad que viene del latín. Pasa en varios verbos, como en Eu digo.
En Brasil a veces se mezclan, pero 'dizer' es para el *qué* dices: Ele diz que....
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