C1 Expression Formal

Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer.

First of all, I want to thank.

Significado

Introduces the initial point or action in a sequence.

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Contexto cultural

In Brazil, the use of 'Primeiramente' became a political meme around 2016, where people would start any sentence with 'Primeiramente, fora [politician name]'. However, in professional settings, 'Em primeiro lugar' remains the gold standard for neutrality. Portuguese speakers in Portugal tend to be very fond of the conditional 'Gostaria de' to sound even more polite and less demanding than 'Quero'. In formal Angolan speeches, it is common to use this phrase and then list several authorities by title before getting to the point. In the global Lusophone startup scene, this phrase is often used to 'soften' the delivery of hard data or critical feedback in meetings.

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The 'Gostaria' Upgrade

If you want to sound 20% more sophisticated instantly, swap 'quero' for 'gostaria de'. It shows you have mastered the conditional mood for politeness.

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Don't forget the 'a'

Remember: Agradecer A alguém. Always include the 'a' (or 'ao/à') before the person you are thanking.

Significado

Introduces the initial point or action in a sequence.

🎯

The 'Gostaria' Upgrade

If you want to sound 20% more sophisticated instantly, swap 'quero' for 'gostaria de'. It shows you have mastered the conditional mood for politeness.

⚠️

Don't forget the 'a'

Remember: Agradecer A alguém. Always include the 'a' (or 'ao/à') before the person you are thanking.

💬

Eye Contact

In Lusophone cultures, when saying this phrase, it is important to make eye contact with the person or audience you are thanking to show sincerity.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the formal opening with the correct preposition and ordinal number.

___ _________ lugar, quero agradecer a todos.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Em primeiro

The correct fixed expression is 'Em primeiro lugar'.

Which variation is most common in Brazilian Portuguese as a single word?

Qual destas palavras substitui 'Em primeiro lugar'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Primeiramente

'Primeiramente' is a very common adverbial synonym in Brazil.

Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate formal response.

Entrevistador: Bem-vindo à nossa empresa. Candidato: Muito obrigado. ___ _________ ______, _____ __________ o convite.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer

This is the standard formal way to begin a professional interaction.

Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.

Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer a vossa magnanimidade.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A formal apology in a high-level diplomatic setting

The word 'magnanimidade' is extremely formal (C2 level) and fits a solemn context.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Complete the formal opening with the correct preposition and ordinal number. Fill Blank A2

___ _________ lugar, quero agradecer a todos.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Em primeiro

The correct fixed expression is 'Em primeiro lugar'.

Which variation is most common in Brazilian Portuguese as a single word? Choose B1

Qual destas palavras substitui 'Em primeiro lugar'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Primeiramente

'Primeiramente' is a very common adverbial synonym in Brazil.

Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate formal response. dialogue_completion B2

Entrevistador: Bem-vindo à nossa empresa. Candidato: Muito obrigado. ___ _________ ______, _____ __________ o convite.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer

This is the standard formal way to begin a professional interaction.

Match the phrase to the most appropriate context. situation_matching C1

Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer a vossa magnanimidade.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A formal apology in a high-level diplomatic setting

The word 'magnanimidade' is extremely formal (C2 level) and fits a solemn context.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In casual speech, yes. In a speech or formal email, it sounds a bit too abrupt. Stick to the full phrase for better impact.

No, but some strict grammarians dislike it if you don't follow up with 'Segundamente'. However, 99% of people use it freely.

Use 'pelo' or 'pela'. Example: 'Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer pelo convite.'

Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Only if the text is very formal (e.g., to a boss). To a friend, it sounds like a joke.

'Agradecer o convite' is slightly more formal/direct. 'Agradecer pelo convite' is more common in daily speech. Both are correct.

Yes! 'Em primeiro lugar, queremos agradecer' sounds much better if you are representing a couple or a team.

You can say 'Antes de mais, obrigado a todos'. It's quicker but still polite.

Em primeiro lugar, quero agradecer a Deus.

Yes, it's a metaphorical 'place' in the order of your speech.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Antes de mais nada

synonym

Before anything else

🔄

Primeiramente

synonym

Firstly

🔗

Para concluir

contrast

To conclude

🔗

Além disso

builds on

Furthermore / Besides that

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