A2 · Élémentaire Chapitre 2

Essential Irregular Verbs

4 Règles totales
44 exemples
7 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

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.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

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.

Guide du chapitre

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.

Exemples clés (6)

1

Eu trago o café para você.

Je t'apporte le café.

Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)
2

Você traz o carregador?

Tu apportes le chargeur ?

Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)
3

Eu digo sempre a verdade no WhatsApp.

Je dis toujours la vérité sur WhatsApp.

Dire des choses : Le verbe Dizer (Dire/Raconter)
4

Como se diz 'password' em português?

Comment dit-on 'password' en portugais ?

Dire des choses : Le verbe Dizer (Dire/Raconter)
5

Eu ponho o café na mesa toda manhã.

Je mets le café sur la table tous les matins.

L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés
6

Ela põe muita foto de comida no Insta.

Elle met (poste) beaucoup de photos de nourriture sur Insta.

L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Attention au faux-ami : Vimos

Retiens bien que Nós vimos peut signifier Nous venons (Présent) ou Nous avons vu (Passé). Regarde bien le contexte :
Hoje nós vimos aqui.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Venir ou Aller ? Le verbe Vir
🎯

Le truc du 'G'

Si tu connais 'fazer' qui devient 'faço', retiens que 'trazer' suit la même logique avec Eu trago. Les verbes irréguliers changent souvent de consonne au présent !
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)
💡

L'astuce du 'G' magique

Seul le 'Eu' prend un 'G'. Pense à 'Lego' ou 'Ego' pour t'en souvenir :
Eu digo a verdade.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dire des choses : Le verbe Dizer (Dire/Raconter)
💬

Brésil vs Portugal

Au Brésil, tu entendras souvent botar dans la rue, alors qu'au Portugal on préfère pôr :
Eu boto o livro ali.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés

Vocabulaire clé (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

Erreurs courantes

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

Wrong: Eu vejo aqui amanhã.
Correct: 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.
Correct: 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.
Correct: 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

Pratique rapide (6)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela traz as chaves.
'Traz' avec un 'z' est la forme verbale. 'Trás' avec un 's' signifie 'derrière'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)

Trouve l'erreur dans la phrase suivante.

Nós pômons o carro na garagem.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pomos o carro na garagem.
'Pomos' est la forme simple et correcte pour 'Nós'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme de 'trazer'

Eu ___ o meu notebook para o trabalho hoje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trago
La forme pour 'Eu' est irrégulière et se termine par -go.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme du verbe 'pôr'.

Eu ___ o lixo lá fora todos os dias.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ponho
Pour 'Eu' (Je), la conjugaison correcte est 'ponho'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés

Trouve et corrige l'erreur

Eles traz o presente para a festa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles trazem o presente para a festa.
Pour les sujets au pluriel (Eles), le verbe doit se terminer par -em.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le verbe Trazer : Apporter des choses vers soi (trazer)

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte.

Quelle phrase est correcte pour 'Elle met le livre sur la table' ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela põe o livro na mesa.
La forme de la troisième personne du singulier (Elle) est 'põe'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: L'irrégulier 'Mettre' : Pôr & Dérivés

Score: /6

Questions fréquentes (6)

Vêm (un 'e' + accent) vient de vir (venir). Veem (deux 'e') vient de ver (voir). Pense aux deux yeux pour voir :
Eles veem o filme.
Le verbe vir est très irrégulier. Viro signifie en fait je tourne du verbe virar. Donc Eu venho t'évite de tourner en rond !
Ça veut dire 'apporter'. On l'utilise quand un objet bouge vers celui qui parle :
Você traz o pão?
Non, il est irrégulier. La forme 'Eu' devient trago et la troisième personne est traz.
C'est une vieille racine latine ! Plusieurs verbes en -er changent pour un 'g' à la première personne, comme
Eu digo a verdade.
Au Brésil, ils se mélangent parfois, mais la règle dit : 'falar' pour l'action de parler et 'dizer' pour ce qu'on dit, comme
Eu digo que sim.
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