consigo
consigo en 30 segundos
- A versatile pronoun meaning 'with himself/herself' or 'with you' (formal).
- Essential for polite conversation in Portugal to avoid being too informal.
- Often used reflexively to show someone is carrying an item or feeling.
- Must be distinguished from the verb 'consigo' which means 'I can'.
- Reflexive Usage
- When the action refers back to the subject of the verb. It is used for the third person (singular and plural).
O diretor gostaria de falar consigo no escritório.
- Grammatical Origin
- It stems from the Latin 'cum' (with) + 'se' (reflexive pronoun) + 'cum' (repeated). This redundant 'cum' is why we have the 'go' ending, similar to 'comigo' and 'contigo'.
Ela sempre traz um livro consigo para ler no metrô.
É um prazer trabalhar consigo, Sr. Silva.
Eles levam as crianças consigo para todo o lado.
O sucesso traz consigo grandes responsabilidades.
- Formal vs. Informal
- In Portugal, 'consigo' is the formal counterpart to 'contigo' (with you - informal). In Brazil, 'com você' replaces 'consigo' in almost all non-reflexive instances.
- Rule 1: The Reflexive Third Person
- Use 'consigo' when the subject (ele, ela, eles, elas, você, vocês) is doing something with themselves. Example: 'Ela está zangada consigo mesma' (She is angry with herself). Adding 'mesmo/a' often helps emphasize the reflexive nature.
Queria partilhar esta ideia consigo, se tiver um momento.
- Rule 2: Avoid Ambiguity
- If a sentence like 'Ele trouxe o livro consigo' is unclear, Portuguese speakers might use 'com ele' to mean 'with him (someone else)' and 'consigo' to mean 'with himself'. However, 'consigo' is increasingly rare in Brazil for anything other than 'with oneself'.
O senhor trouxe os documentos consigo?
Eles não levaram dinheiro consigo para a viagem.
Ela fala consigo mesma quando está nervosa.
Posso contar consigo para o projeto de amanhã?
- Rule 3: Plural Usage
- While 'consigo' is singular in form, it can refer to plural subjects (eles/elas/vocês) in its reflexive sense: 'Eles trouxeram os filhos consigo'. However, for 'with you (plural)', PT-PT often uses 'convosco'.
- Daily Life in Portugal
- Used in service industries, formal introductions, and polite conversation among strangers or acquaintances.
No tribunal, o juiz falou consigo em tom solene.
- Literary Contexts
- In novels, 'consigo' is used to describe a character's internal state: 'Ele guardava o segredo consigo' (He kept the secret with himself/to himself).
O médico quer falar consigo sobre os exames.
Ela levava o passado consigo por onde quer que fosse.
Posso ir consigo até à paragem de autocarro?
Eles trouxeram a mudança consigo.
- Legal and Formal Documents
- Contracts often use 'consigo' to refer back to a previously mentioned party: 'O contratante levará consigo as ferramentas'.
- Mistake 1: Pronoun vs. Verb
- 'Eu não consigo fazer isto' (I can't do this) vs. 'Ele trouxe o livro consigo' (He brought the book with him). The context and position in the sentence are key.
Errado: Vem consigo? (When you mean 'Are you coming with me?') -> Correto: Vem comigo?
- Mistake 2: Misplacing 'Mesmo'
- When using 'consigo' reflexively, learners often forget to add 'mesmo' or 'próprio' for clarity. While not always required, 'Ele falou consigo mesmo' is much clearer than 'Ele falou consigo'.
Errado: Ele está satisfeito com ele. (If he is satisfied with himself) -> Correto: Ele está satisfeito consigo.
Errado: Posso falar contigo, Sr. Diretor? (Too informal) -> Correto: Posso falar consigo, Sr. Diretor?
Errado: Eles levaram as malas com eles. (Acceptable but less elegant) -> Correto: Eles levaram as malas consigo.
Errado: Eu vou consigo. (If you mean 'I am going with you' in Brazil) -> Correto: Eu vou com você.
- Mistake 3: Overuse in Brazil
- Brazilians rarely use 'consigo' as 'with you'. If you use it in São Paulo, people will know you learned 'Portugal Portuguese' or are reading from an old textbook.
- Comigo vs. Consigo
- 'Comigo' means 'with me'. It is never reflexive. 'Consigo' is third-person or formal second-person.
- Contigo vs. Consigo
- 'Contigo' is 'with you' (informal/tu). 'Consigo' is 'with you' (formal/você) or 'with him/her'.
Eu vou contigo ao cinema (informal) vs. Eu vou consigo ao teatro (formal).
- Connosco and Convosco
- 'Connosco' (with us) and 'Convosco' (with you all - formal PT-PT). These follow the same 'com + pronoun + cum' pattern.
Eles trouxeram os amigos com eles (The friends are not 'them') vs. Eles trouxeram os casacos consigo (The coats belong to the subject).
Fique consigo (Stay with yourself/keep it) vs. Fique comigo (Stay with me).
Ele não está bem consigo próprio.
Quer que eu leve a mala consigo?
- Si vs. Consigo
- 'Si' is the base pronoun used after other prepositions (e.g., 'para si', 'de si'). 'Consigo' is specifically for the preposition 'com'.
How Formal Is It?
Nivel de dificultad
Gramática que debes saber
Prepositional pronouns
Reflexive pronouns
Formal vs. Informal address
Verb conjugation of 'conseguir'
Use of 'mesmo' for emphasis
Ejemplos por nivel
Posso falar consigo?
Can I speak with you (formal)?
Formal address 'você' + 'com'.
Ele leva o livro consigo.
He takes the book with him.
Reflexive third person.
O senhor traz o guarda-chuva consigo?
Do you (sir) bring the umbrella with you?
Formal second person.
Ela tem o telemóvel consigo.
She has the phone with her.
Reflexive third person.
Quero ir consigo ao mercado.
I want to go with you (formal) to the market.
Formal address.
Ele está consigo no carro.
He is with you (formal) in the car.
Formal address.
A senhora tem a chave consigo?
Do you (madam) have the key with you?
Formal second person.
Eles levam o gato consigo.
They take the cat with them.
Plural reflexive.
Ela trouxe a mala consigo para a festa.
She brought the suitcase with her to the party.
Reflexive use.
O diretor quer falar consigo agora.
The director wants to speak with you (formal) now.
Formal address.
Ele não trouxe dinheiro consigo.
He didn't bring money with him.
Reflexive third person.
Posso contar consigo para este trabalho?
Can I count on you (formal) for this job?
Formal address.
Ela fala consigo mesma no espelho.
She talks to herself in the mirror.
Reflexive with 'mesma'.
O senhor leva o recibo consigo?
Are you (sir) taking the receipt with you?
Formal address.
Eles guardam o segredo consigo.
They keep the secret with them.
Reflexive plural.
Vou consigo até à porta.
I'll go with you (formal) to the door.
Formal address.
É importante estar em paz consigo próprio.
It is important to be at peace with oneself.
Reflexive with 'próprio'.
O professor trouxe consigo vários mapas.
The teacher brought several maps with him.
Reflexive third person.
Gostaria de agendar uma reunião consigo.
I would like to schedule a meeting with you (formal).
Formal business address.
Ela levava consigo uma tristeza profunda.
She carried a deep sadness with her.
Abstract reflexive.
Pode levar estes documentos consigo.
You (formal) can take these documents with you.
Formal address.
Ele sempre traz a sua sorte consigo.
He always brings his luck with him.
Reflexive third person.
A senhora está satisfeita consigo mesma?
Are you (madam) satisfied with yourself?
Reflexive formal.
Eles trouxeram a mudança consigo.
They brought the change with them.
Reflexive plural.
O novo projeto traz consigo muitos desafios.
The new project brings many challenges with it.
Inanimate reflexive.
Fiquei impressionado consigo na apresentação.
I was impressed with you (formal) during the presentation.
Formal address.
Ele debateu o assunto consigo mesmo antes de decidir.
He debated the matter with himself before deciding.
Reflexive emphasis.
Agradeço a oportunidade de colaborar consigo.
I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with you (formal).
Formal professional address.
Ela carregava consigo a responsabilidade da família.
She carried with her the responsibility of the family.
Metaphorical reflexive.
O senhor deve levar o passaporte sempre consigo.
You (sir) should always carry your passport with you.
Formal advice.
Eles não levaram nada consigo quando partiram.
They took nothing with them when they left.
Reflexive plural.
A solidão trazia consigo um silêncio ensurdecedor.
Solitude brought with it a deafening silence.
Literary reflexive.
O orador trazia consigo uma aura de autoridade.
The speaker carried with him an aura of authority.
Literary reflexive.
É um privilégio poder privar consigo.
It is a privilege to be able to share your company (formal).
High register formal address.
O réu levava consigo provas da sua inocência.
The defendant carried with him proof of his innocence.
Legal context.
A modernidade arrasta consigo tradições antigas.
Modernity drags ancient traditions along with it.
Abstract reflexive.
Permita-me discordar consigo neste ponto específico.
Allow me to disagree with you (formal) on this specific point.
Formal disagreement.
Ele guardava consigo um ressentimento de anos.
He kept a resentment of years with him.
Reflexive third person.
A senhora traz consigo a solução para o problema.
You (madam) bring the solution to the problem with you.
Formal address.
Eles arrastaram consigo toda a multidão.
They dragged the whole crowd along with them.
Reflexive plural.
A obra de arte encerra em si e consigo um universo.
The work of art contains within itself and with itself a universe.
Philosophical reflexive.
Vossa Excelência leva consigo as esperanças da nação.
Your Excellency carries with you the hopes of the nation.
Honorific formal address.
O tempo, na sua voracidade, leva tudo consigo.
Time, in its voracity, takes everything with it.
Poetic reflexive.
Não pretendo entrar em polémicas consigo.
I do not intend to enter into controversies with you (formal).
High register address.
O silêncio trazia consigo o peso da verdade.
The silence brought with it the weight of truth.
Metaphorical reflexive.
Eles trouxeram consigo a herança dos seus antepassados.
They brought with them the heritage of their ancestors.
Reflexive plural.
A senhora, ao partir, levou consigo a minha alegria.
You (madam), upon leaving, took my joy with you.
Formal poetic address.
O mar revolto arrastava consigo os destroços.
The rough sea dragged the debris along with it.
Inanimate reflexive.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Se confunde a menudo con
1st person singular of 'conseguir' (I can/manage).
Means 'with me', never 'with you' or 'with him'.
Informal 'with you' (tu).
Modismos y expresiones
Fácil de confundir
Patrones de oraciones
Cómo usarlo
Often paired with 'mesmo' or 'próprio'.
Strong formal use in PT-PT, mostly reflexive in PT-BR.
Can mean 'with him' or 'with you'.
- Confusing 'consigo' (pronoun) with 'consigo' (verb 'conseguir').
- Using 'consigo' for 'with me' (should be 'comigo').
- Using 'consigo' for informal 'with you' in Portugal (should be 'contigo').
- Using 'consigo' for 'with you' in casual Brazilian Portuguese.
- Forgetting 'mesmo' when clarity is needed for reflexive meaning.
Consejos
Reflexive Rule
Always use 'consigo' when the person doing the action is the same as the person the action is 'with'. This is the most stable rule across all dialects. It prevents confusion with other people.
Portugal vs Brazil
If you are in Lisbon, use 'consigo' to be polite to strangers. If you are in Rio, use 'com você' to avoid sounding like a 19th-century poet. Knowing your audience is key to using this word.
Use 'Mesmo'
To be 100% clear that you mean 'with himself/herself', add 'mesmo' or 'próprio'. 'Ele falou consigo mesmo' is never ambiguous, whereas 'Ele falou consigo' could be.
The 'Go' Family
Group 'consigo' with 'comigo' and 'contigo' in your mind. They all follow the same pattern of 'com + pronoun + go'. This helps you remember they are all in the same grammatical family.
Formal Address
When using 'consigo' as 'with you', make sure your verb matches. You should be using the third-person conjugation (você/o senhor) for the rest of the sentence to maintain consistency.
Context Clues
If you hear 'consigo' and aren't sure if it's a verb or pronoun, look for a subject. 'Eu consigo' is always a verb. 'Ele leva consigo' is always a pronoun. Subjects are your best friends.
Professionalism
In a cover letter for a job in Portugal, 'Trabalhar consigo' sounds much more professional than 'Trabalhar com você'. It shows you understand local etiquette and formal grammar.
Not for 'Me'
Never use 'consigo' to mean 'with me'. This is a common mistake for Spanish speakers (who use 'conmigo'). In Portuguese, 'with me' is 'comigo'. 'Consigo' is only for 3rd person or formal 2nd.
The Hard G
Ensure the 'g' is hard, like in 'game'. Some learners accidentally make it soft like a 'j', which changes the word entirely. Practice saying 'con-SEE-go' slowly.
Abstract Use
Don't be afraid to use 'consigo' for abstract concepts in writing. 'A guerra traz consigo a fome' is a very elegant and standard way to express consequences in Portuguese.
Memorízalo
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Contexto cultural
Primarily used in writing, news, and formal speeches.
High usage in formal and semi-formal social settings.
Generally follows the European Portuguese formal patterns.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Inicios de conversación
"Posso falar consigo um minuto?"
"O senhor trouxe o seu guarda-chuva consigo?"
"Como é trabalhar consigo?"
"Você costuma falar consigo mesmo?"
"Posso contar consigo para a festa?"
Temas para diario
Escreva sobre algo que você sempre traz consigo.
Como você se sente consigo mesmo hoje?
Descreva uma conversa formal que você teve consigo (com outra pessoa).
O que o sucesso traz consigo na sua opinião?
Você prefere viajar sozinho ou levar amigos consigo?
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it can be the first-person singular of the verb 'conseguir'. However, as a pronoun, it means 'with him/her/you'. You can tell the difference by the context. If it follows a verb like 'trazer' or 'levar', it's a pronoun. If it's the main action, like 'Eu consigo correr', it's a verb.
In Portugal, use 'consigo' for formal situations with anyone you address as 'você' or 'o senhor'. In Brazil, 'com você' is almost always preferred for 'with you', and 'consigo' is reserved for reflexive meanings like 'he took it with him'.
Grammatically, it is singular, but it can refer to plural subjects in a reflexive sense. For example, 'Eles levaram os livros consigo' is correct. For formal 'with you (plural)', European Portuguese usually uses 'convosco'.
Technically, 'consigo' is reflexive, so it should mean 'He spoke with himself'. To mean 'He spoke with him (someone else)', you should say 'Ele falou com ele'. However, in formal PT-PT, it could also mean 'He spoke with you'.
It comes from the Latin 'secum'. Over time, Portuguese speakers added 'com' to the beginning but kept the 'cum' sound at the end (which turned into 'go'), creating a redundant but standard form.
Yes, but mostly in its reflexive sense ('Ele trouxe consigo') or in very formal writing. In daily conversation, Brazilians rarely use it to mean 'with you'.
There is no feminine form of 'consigo' itself. It is invariable. However, if you add 'mesmo', it becomes 'consigo mesma' for a female subject.
You use 'consigo'. For example: 'Eles estão zangados consigo mesmos'.
Yes, in a reflexive sense. 'O problema traz consigo uma solução' (The problem brings a solution with it).
In Portugal, it is very polite and formal. In Brazil, it is so formal that it might sound out of place in a casual setting.
Ponte a prueba 190 preguntas
Write a sentence asking a teacher if you can go with them using 'consigo'.
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Write a sentence saying 'He took the money with him'.
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Write a sentence about someone talking to themselves.
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Write a formal email sentence thanking someone for collaborating with you.
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Write a sentence about the responsibilities that success brings.
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Translate: 'Can I speak with you (formal)?'
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Translate: 'She has the keys with her.'
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Translate: 'I want to be at peace with myself.'
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Translate: 'The project brings many risks with it.'
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Translate: 'The speaker carried with him a great presence.'
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Use 'consigo' in a sentence about a doctor.
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Use 'consigo' in a sentence about a dog.
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Use 'consigo mesmo' in a sentence.
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Use 'trazer consigo' in a formal context.
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Use 'consigo' in a philosophical sentence.
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Ask a shopkeeper if they have the receipt with them.
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Describe a person carrying a suitcase.
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Describe a person who is happy with themselves.
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Write a sentence about a storm dragging debris.
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Write a sentence about a king carrying the hopes of his people.
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Say 'Can I go with you?' formally.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'He takes the dog with him.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I am happy with myself.'
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Dijiste:
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Say 'I would like to work with you' formally.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Success brings responsibility with it.'
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Dijiste:
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Ask a doctor: 'Can I speak with you?'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'She brought the keys with her.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'They are talking to themselves.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'The rain brought the cold with it.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'It is a privilege to be with you' formally.
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Dijiste:
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Pronounce 'consigo' correctly.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'Do you have the passport with you?' formally.
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'I need to be alone with myself.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'I agree with you' formally.
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'The sea dragged the boat with it.'
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Dijiste:
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Ask: 'Are you coming with me?' (Trick question: uses comigo).
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say: 'They took the children with them.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'She is satisfied with herself.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'The message brings hope with it.'
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Dijiste:
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Say: 'I don't want to argue with you' formally.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Listen and identify: 'Posso falar consigo?'
Listen and identify: 'Ele leva o cão consigo.'
Listen and identify: 'Ela fala consigo mesma.'
Listen and identify: 'A paz traz consigo a alegria.'
Listen and identify: 'É um prazer estar consigo.'
Is the speaker being formal or informal?
Is the subject carrying something?
Is the action reflexive?
What is the consequence mentioned?
What is the tone of the speaker?
Identify the pronoun in the sentence.
Identify the object being carried.
Identify the person being addressed.
Identify the abstract concept.
Identify the formal address.
/ 190 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'consigo' is your go-to for formal 'with you' in Portugal and reflexive 'with him/her' everywhere. Example: 'O senhor trouxe o passaporte consigo?' (Did you bring your passport with you?).
- A versatile pronoun meaning 'with himself/herself' or 'with you' (formal).
- Essential for polite conversation in Portugal to avoid being too informal.
- Often used reflexively to show someone is carrying an item or feeling.
- Must be distinguished from the verb 'consigo' which means 'I can'.
Reflexive Rule
Always use 'consigo' when the person doing the action is the same as the person the action is 'with'. This is the most stable rule across all dialects. It prevents confusion with other people.
Portugal vs Brazil
If you are in Lisbon, use 'consigo' to be polite to strangers. If you are in Rio, use 'com você' to avoid sounding like a 19th-century poet. Knowing your audience is key to using this word.
Use 'Mesmo'
To be 100% clear that you mean 'with himself/herself', add 'mesmo' or 'próprio'. 'Ele falou consigo mesmo' is never ambiguous, whereas 'Ele falou consigo' could be.
The 'Go' Family
Group 'consigo' with 'comigo' and 'contigo' in your mind. They all follow the same pattern of 'com + pronoun + go'. This helps you remember they are all in the same grammatical family.
Ejemplo
Ele trouxe o guarda-chuva consigo.
Contenido relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
a cerca de
B1Significa 'a unos' o 'aproximadamente' al hablar de distancia o tiempo futuro.
à direita
A2A la derecha. Se usa para dar direcciones o indicar ubicación.
à esquerda
A2A la izquierda. Se usa para dar direcciones o describir una ubicación.
a fim de
A2A fin de; tener ganas de. 'Estudia a fin de aprobar.' / 'Tengo ganas de salir.'
à frente
A2En frente de; delante de. 'Ella está à frente del grupo.'
a frente
A2Al frente; delante.
À frente de
A2Delante de o al frente de. 'El coche está à frente de la casa' (El coche está delante de la casa).
a tempo
A2A tiempo, puntualmente. Indica que algo sucede dentro del plazo necesario.
à volta de
A2Alrededor de. Se usa para espacio (alrededor de la mesa) o aproximaciones (alrededor de las cinco).
abaixo
A1Debajo de; más abajo.