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B1 preposition #600 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

após

Top 600

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces após en 30 secondes

Explication após in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 'após' as a simple way to say 'after'. It is a word that helps you talk about your daily routine. For example, you can say 'após o café' (after coffee) or 'após a aula' (after class). It is very similar to 'depois de', but it is just one word. You will mostly see it in short signs or simple instructions. It helps you understand the order of things. If you see 'após' on a sign, it means something happens next. It is a building block for telling simple stories about what you did during your day. Even though beginners use 'depois de' more often, knowing 'após' will help you read menus, schedules, and basic news headlines. It is a very stable word because it never changes its spelling, no matter what word comes after it. This makes it easy to memorize and use without worrying about complex grammar rules like gender or plural forms.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'após' to make your sentences a bit more varied. Instead of always using 'depois de', try using 'após' when you want to sound a little more organized. You will encounter this word frequently in public transport announcements and simple recipes. For example, 'após a estação Central, o trem para na estação Norte' (after Central station, the train stops at North station). It is also useful for describing a sequence of actions in the past. You can use it with nouns to create clear timelines. At this level, you should also notice that 'após' does not need the word 'de'. This is a common point of confusion for A2 students. If you say 'após o almoço', you are correct. If you say 'após do almoço', you are making a mistake. Learning to avoid this 'de' will help you sound more like a native speaker. You will also see 'após' used in 'before and after' contexts, which is common in advertising and social media.

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At the B1 level, 'após' becomes an important tool for more formal communication. You are expected to move beyond basic survival Portuguese and start expressing yourself in professional or academic settings. 'Após' is perfect for this. You will use it in emails to colleagues, such as 'após analisar o seu pedido...' (after analyzing your request...). It is also at this level that you should master using 'após' with infinitive verbs. This allows you to combine two sentences into one, making your speech and writing more fluid. For example, instead of saying 'Eu terminei o trabalho. Depois eu saí.', you can say 'Após terminar o trabalho, saí.' This structure is very common in B1 level reading materials, such as news articles and short stories. You should also become familiar with the common phrase 'logo após', which means 'immediately after'. This adds precision to your descriptions of time. B1 learners should also recognize 'após' in repetitive structures like 'dia após dia', which adds a more descriptive and idiomatic feel to their language.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'após' in a wide variety of contexts, including complex legal, medical, or technical discussions. You will notice that 'após' is often used in the passive voice or with impersonal structures, which are common in formal Portuguese. For example, 'Após serem realizados os testes, os resultados foram publicados.' (After the tests were conducted, the results were published). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish between the subtle nuances of 'após', 'posteriormente', and 'em seguida'. You will use 'após' to create sophisticated transitions in your essays and reports. You will also encounter it in more abstract ways, such as 'após reflexão' (after reflection) or 'após cuidadosa consideração' (after careful consideration). B2 learners should also be aware of the stylistic choice between 'após' and 'depois de'—using 'após' to maintain a consistent formal register throughout a piece of writing. You will also see it in literature to create a specific rhythm or to emphasize the weight of an event that has just occurred.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'após' should be seamless and natural. You will use it to navigate high-level academic discourse and complex professional environments. You will recognize 'após' in classical literature and formal speeches where it is used to create a sense of gravitas. At this level, you are expected to understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, which helps in interpreting archaic or highly formal texts. You will use 'após' in complex conditional or hypothetical sentences, such as 'Após o que poderia ter sido um desastre, a empresa recuperou-se.' (Following what could have been a disaster, the company recovered). You will also master the use of 'após' in idiomatic expressions that are less common, such as those found in legal jargon or philosophical texts. Your ability to use 'após' correctly in these contexts demonstrates a deep understanding of Portuguese syntax and register. You will also be able to critique the use of 'após' in others' writing, identifying when it is used effectively and when it might be replaced by a more nuanced alternative to improve the flow of the text.

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At the C2 level, 'após' is just one of many tools in your extensive linguistic repertoire. You use it with total precision, often choosing it for its specific phonetic qualities or to achieve a particular rhetorical effect in your writing or oratory. You are fully aware of the subtle differences in usage between various Lusophone countries, such as the slightly higher frequency of 'após' in formal European Portuguese compared to Brazilian Portuguese. You can use 'após' in highly stylized prose, perhaps in a way that echoes the great Portuguese writers of the past. You understand its role in the evolution of the language from Latin and can discuss its development in the context of Romance linguistics. In professional settings, you use 'após' to draft complex legal documents, international treaties, or high-level policy papers where every word must be chosen for its clarity and lack of ambiguity. Your mastery of 'após' at this level is not just about grammar, but about a deep, intuitive grasp of the elegance and structure of the Portuguese language.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

após en 30 secondes

A formal preposition meaning 'after' or 'following' in time or sequence.
Unlike 'depois de', it never takes the preposition 'de' before the noun.
Commonly found in news, legal documents, and professional writing for conciseness.
Can be used with nouns, pronouns, or infinitive verbs to show order.

The Portuguese word após is a versatile preposition primarily used to indicate a temporal or sequential relationship between two events, objects, or ideas. In its most fundamental sense, it translates to the English word 'after' or 'following.' While it shares much of its semantic territory with the more common adverbial phrase depois de, após carries a slightly more formal, precise, or literary tone. It is the word of choice in journalistic reporting, academic papers, legal documents, and formal literature, though it is perfectly understood and occasionally used in everyday speech when the speaker wishes to be concise.

Temporal Sequence: This is the most frequent application. It marks an event that occurs later in time than the reference point. For example, 'após o jantar' (after dinner) or 'após a conferência' (after the conference).

O paciente apresentou melhoras significativas após o tratamento experimental.

Spatial or Orderly Sequence: Beyond time, it can describe a physical order or a hierarchical sequence. In a list or a physical line, one thing comes 'após' another. For instance, 'Um nome após o outro' (One name after the other).

In the context of Portuguese history and literature, após has maintained a steady presence. It originates from the Latin ad post, emphasizing a movement toward a posterior state. In modern usage, you will find it extensively in news headlines because it is shorter than 'depois de', saving valuable character space while maintaining a professional register. For example, 'Mercado reage após decisão do Banco Central' (Market reacts after Central Bank decision). It provides a sense of immediate consequence or direct succession that 'depois' sometimes lacks.

A cidade ficou em silêncio após a tempestade passar.

Pursuit and Search: In more poetic or specific contexts, it can imply 'in pursuit of' or 'behind'. For example, 'ir após os seus sonhos' (to go after your dreams), though 'atrás de' is more common for physical chasing.

Eles caminhavam um após o outro pela trilha estreita.

When learning após, it is essential to recognize its role in complex sentence structures. It often introduces subordinate clauses when followed by an infinitive verb, such as 'após terminar o trabalho, ele saiu' (after finishing the work, he left). This structure is a hallmark of sophisticated Portuguese writing. It allows for a clean, economical way to express chronological order without the need for multiple conjunctions. Understanding this word is a key step for B1 learners to move from basic conversational Portuguese to more nuanced, descriptive, and professional communication.

A economia começou a crescer após as reformas serem implementadas.

Dia após dia, ela praticava o piano com dedicação.

Using após correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical function as a preposition. Unlike many other Portuguese temporal markers, it does not change its form based on gender or number. It is invariable. The primary rule to remember is that após is followed directly by the object it refers to—whether that is a noun, a pronoun, or a verb in the infinitive form. You should never place the word 'de' after 'após', which is a common error for those accustomed to saying 'depois de'.

Directly Before Nouns: This is the simplest usage. Example: 'Após a chuva, o sol apareceu' (After the rain, the sun appeared). Here, 'após' links the event (rain) to the subsequent occurrence (sun).

O resultado será divulgado após a análise dos dados.

With Personal Infinitives: In Portuguese, you can use 'após' followed by an infinitive verb. Example: 'Após chegarmos, avisaremos' (After we arrive, we will let you know). This is a very efficient way to express time.

Another common pattern is the use of após in repetitive structures to show continuous or repeated action over time. Phrases like 'dia após dia' (day after day), 'ano após ano' (year after year), or 'passo após passo' (step after step) are idiomatic and widely used to emphasize persistence or the slow passage of time. These structures are very effective in storytelling and descriptive writing to build rhythm and emphasis.

Ele subiu a montanha, degrau após degrau.

Formal Correspondence: In emails or letters, 'após' is used to refer to previous communications. Example: 'Após o nosso contato telefônico...' (Following our telephone contact...).

Enviaremos o contrato após a assinatura do acordo.

Finally, após can be modified by adverbs like 'logo' to indicate immediacy. 'Logo após' means 'immediately after' or 'shortly after'. This is a very common collocation. Example: 'Logo após o acidente, a ambulância chegou' (Immediately after the accident, the ambulance arrived). This adds a layer of precision to the timing that is crucial in many contexts, from medical reports to historical accounts. By mastering these patterns, you will significantly enhance your ability to describe sequences of events with clarity and sophistication.

O show começou logo após a abertura dos portões.

Após muito esforço, ela finalmente conseguiu a promoção.

While you might not hear após in every casual conversation at a bar or a family dinner—where depois reigns supreme—it is omnipresent in other spheres of Lusophone life. If you turn on the television to watch the evening news (like 'Jornal Nacional' in Brazil or 'Telejornal' in Portugal), you will hear após constantly. News anchors use it to link stories or provide timelines for breaking news. 'A polícia chegou ao local após denúncias anônimas' (The police arrived at the scene after anonymous tips). It sounds authoritative and objective, which is the desired tone for journalism.

In the Workplace: In corporate environments, 'após' is the standard for reports, emails, and presentations. It sounds more structured. You'll hear it in phrases like 'após a reunião de hoje' or 'após o fechamento do trimestre'.

O relatório será enviado após a revisão final da gerência.

Public Announcements: At airports, train stations, or in public service announcements, 'após' is used for clarity. 'Após o sinal sonoro, as portas se fecharão' (After the beep, the doors will close).

In the world of sports, commentators use após to describe the flow of the game. 'O gol saiu após uma cobrança de escanteio' (The goal came after a corner kick). It helps maintain the fast-paced narrative of the match. Similarly, in legal contexts, it is indispensable. Laws and contracts are filled with 'após', defining when certain obligations begin or end. For example, 'após o trânsito em julgado' (after the final judgment). This precision is vital in legal Portuguese to avoid ambiguity.

O atleta concedeu entrevista após a vitória histórica no mundial.

Literature and Song Lyrics: Songwriters often use 'após' to fit the meter of a song or to add a touch of poetic weight. In literature, it helps in creating a sophisticated narrative flow.

A esperança renasce após tempos de incerteza e dor.

Even in social media, you might see após in captions for 'before and after' photos (antes e após). While 'antes e depois' is more common, 'antes e após' is used to sound a bit more polished or professional, especially by businesses like interior designers or plastic surgeons. Essentially, whenever the context requires a clear, unambiguous statement of sequence, após is likely to appear. It is a small word that carries significant weight in the structure of the Portuguese language.

Veja os resultados incríveis após apenas três meses de treino.

O trânsito foi liberado após a remoção do veículo quebrado.

The most frequent mistake learners make with após is treating it exactly like depois. In Portuguese, depois is an adverb that almost always requires the preposition de when followed by a noun (depois de algo). However, após is already a preposition. Therefore, saying após de is grammatically incorrect. This is a very common 'hypercorrection' where learners try to apply the rules of one word to another similar one. Always remember: 'após a aula', never 'após da aula'.

The 'De' Trap: Incorrect: 'Após de sair...' Correct: 'Após sair...' or 'Depois de sair...'. The word 'após' stands alone as the connector.

Eles chegaram após do início do filme.
Eles chegaram após o início do filme.

Confusing with 'Atrás': 'Atrás' usually refers to physical location (behind), while 'após' refers to sequence or time. While 'após' can mean 'behind' in a sequence, using 'após' to mean 'behind the house' is incorrect.

Another mistake is using após as a standalone adverb at the end of a sentence. In English, you can say 'I will go after.' In Portuguese, you cannot simply say Eu vou após. You must use depois in this context: 'Eu vou depois.' Após always needs an object to follow it. It is a 'transitive' preposition in that sense—it must point to something else. If you don't have a specific event or time to mention, stick with depois.

Você pode vir agora ou após.
Você pode vir agora ou depois.

Register Mismatch: Using 'após' in very informal slang-heavy conversations can sound a bit stiff or 'robotic'. While not a 'grammar' mistake, it's a social register mistake. In casual settings, 'depois de' is more natural.

A reunião foi cancelada após o imprevisto.

Finally, be careful with the word atrás when talking about time passed. In English, we say 'two days ago'. In Portuguese, we say 'dois dias atrás' or 'há dois dias'. Some learners mistakenly use após here because they associate it with 'after/back'. Após only looks forward in a sequence from a specific point, it doesn't look back from the present to the past like 'ago' does. Mastering these distinctions will make your Portuguese sound much more native and precise.

O projeto foi concluído após meses de planejamento.

Ela se sentiu aliviada após entregar a tese.

To truly master após, you must understand its relationship with its synonyms and alternatives. The Portuguese language offers several ways to express the concept of 'after', each with its own nuance of formality, timing, and grammatical structure. Choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Below is a detailed comparison of the most common alternatives.

Depois de vs. Após: Depois de is the most common and versatile alternative. It is used in all registers of speech. Após is more formal and concise.
Example: 'Depois de comer' (Common) vs. 'Após comer' (Formal).

Vamos sair depois do trabalho. (Casual)
Partiremos após o expediente. (Formal)

Em seguida a: This phrase emphasizes immediate succession—'immediately following'. It is often used in technical instructions or descriptions of a rapid sequence of events.

Aperte o botão e, em seguida, puxe a alavanca.

Another interesting alternative is logo que or assim que. These are conjunctions that mean 'as soon as'. While após simply states that one thing happened after another, assim que emphasizes the lack of delay between the two actions. For example, 'Após ele chegar, comemos' (After he arrived, we ate) vs. 'Assim que ele chegou, comemos' (As soon as he arrived, we ate). The latter feels more urgent.

A situação normalizou-se posteriormente à intervenção.

Atrás de: Used for physical position. If you are literally standing behind someone in a line, you are 'atrás de' them. If you are referring to the order in a list, you are 'após' them.

O cachorro correu atrás da bola.

In summary, while após is your 'go-to' for formal writing and clear sequencing, don't forget the power of depois de for daily life, logo após for immediate actions, and posteriormente for high-level academic or professional discourse. Understanding these subtle differences will allow you to navigate different social and professional environments in the Portuguese-speaking world with confidence and linguistic accuracy.

A vida continua após as perdas inevitáveis.

O sol se põe após um longo dia de verão.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'após' is a 'pure' preposition in Portuguese, meaning it doesn't need to be combined with other words to function, unlike its cousin 'depois' which almost always needs 'de'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɐˈpɔʃ/

US /aˈpɔs/

The stress is on the second syllable: a-PÓS.

Rime avec

nós vós veloz feroz voz arroz algoz fóz

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' as a closed 'o' (like 'boat'). It must be open like 'hot'.
Stress on the first syllable (Á-pos).
Pronouncing the final 's' as a 'z' sound.
Mumbling the 'a' so it sounds like 'pós'.
Adding a 'u' sound at the end (apósu).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it always means 'after'.

Écriture 4/5

Requires remembering not to use 'de' and choosing the right register.

Expression orale 3/5

Simple to pronounce, but learners often default to 'depois de'.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to catch in news or formal speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

depois antes tempo dia com

Apprends ensuite

posteriormente mediante perante consoante durante

Avancé

ulterior postergado sucessivo consecutivo doravante

Grammaire à connaître

Prepositional usage

Após o trabalho (No 'de' needed).

Infinitive connection

Após chegar (Connects directly to verbs).

Personal Infinitive

Após eles saírem (Verb agrees with subject).

Adverbial modification

Logo após (Modified by 'logo').

Repetitive structures

Dia após dia (Creates idiomatic meaning).

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Exemples par niveau

Eu bebo água após o exercício.

I drink water after exercise.

Simple prepositional use with a noun.

Após a aula, eu vou para casa.

After class, I go home.

Used at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis.

O sol sai após a chuva.

The sun comes out after the rain.

Describing a natural sequence.

Após o café, eu trabalho.

After coffee, I work.

Daily routine context.

O filme termina após duas horas.

The movie ends after two hours.

Indicating time duration.

Após o sinal, pode entrar.

After the signal, you can enter.

Instructional use.

Ela dorme após o jantar.

She sleeps after dinner.

Sequence of evening activities.

Após o portão, vire à direita.

After the gate, turn right.

Spatial/directional use.

Após o almoço, vamos ao parque.

After lunch, let's go to the park.

Planning a future activity.

O trem parte após a chegada do ônibus.

The train leaves after the bus arrives.

Coordinating transportation.

Após ler o livro, eu entendi tudo.

After reading the book, I understood everything.

Using 'após' with an infinitive verb.

Eles chegaram logo após a festa começar.

They arrived shortly after the party started.

Using 'logo após' for immediacy.

Após a tempestade, o céu ficou azul.

After the storm, the sky turned blue.

Describing change in state.

Após o jogo, os jogadores descansam.

After the game, the players rest.

Standard temporal sequence.

Você deve lavar as mãos após tossir.

You should wash your hands after coughing.

Health/hygiene instruction.

Após a ponte, você verá o hotel.

After the bridge, you will see the hotel.

Spatial sequence in directions.

Após analisar os dados, tomaremos uma decisão.

After analyzing the data, we will make a decision.

Professional context with infinitive.

O mercado financeiro oscilou após a notícia.

The financial market fluctuated after the news.

Journalistic/economic register.

Após anos de estudo, ela se formou em medicina.

After years of study, she graduated in medicine.

Long-term temporal sequence.

Dia após dia, ele melhorava seu português.

Day after day, he improved his Portuguese.

Idiomatic repetitive structure.

Após o término do contrato, ele mudou de cidade.

After the end of the contract, he moved cities.

Formal event sequence.

Logo após a reunião, enviarei a ata por e-mail.

Right after the meeting, I will send the minutes by email.

Immediate sequence in business.

Após muita insistência, ele aceitou o convite.

After much insistence, he accepted the invitation.

Describing the result of a process.

O museu abre logo após o feriado.

The museum opens right after the holiday.

Scheduling context.

Após serem ouvidas as testemunhas, o juiz proferiu a sentença.

After the witnesses were heard, the judge delivered the sentence.

Formal legal structure with passive infinitive.

A empresa recuperou sua imagem após a crise de relações públicas.

The company recovered its image after the PR crisis.

Corporate/strategic context.

Após refletir sobre o assunto, decidi mudar de carreira.

After reflecting on the matter, I decided to change careers.

Abstract temporal sequence.

O país enfrentou grandes desafios após a independência.

The country faced great challenges after independence.

Historical/political context.

Após a implementação do novo sistema, a produtividade aumentou.

After the implementation of the new system, productivity increased.

Technical/managerial register.

Eles caminhavam um após o outro, em silêncio absoluto.

They walked one after the other, in absolute silence.

Spatial/sequential literary use.

Após a leitura do testamento, a família ficou surpresa.

After the reading of the will, the family was surprised.

Formal event-based sequence.

A vida na cidade mudou drasticamente após a revolução industrial.

Life in the city changed drastically after the industrial revolution.

Socio-historical context.

Após minuciosa investigação, as causas do acidente foram reveladas.

After a thorough investigation, the causes of the accident were revealed.

High-level formal/technical register.

A obra do autor ganhou reconhecimento mundial apenas após sua morte.

The author's work gained worldwide recognition only after his death.

Literary/biographical context.

Após o que parecia ser um impasse, as negociações avançaram.

After what seemed to be a deadlock, the negotiations moved forward.

Complex clausal structure.

A paz foi finalmente selada após décadas de conflito sangrento.

Peace was finally sealed after decades of bloody conflict.

Formal historical/political register.

Após esgotarem-se todas as possibilidades, o projeto foi arquivado.

After all possibilities were exhausted, the project was shelved.

Formal business/legal phrasing.

O pensamento filosófico alterou-se profundamente após o Iluminismo.

Philosophical thought changed profoundly after the Enlightenment.

Academic/intellectual context.

Após a derrocada do império, novas nações surgiram no mapa.

After the collapse of the empire, new nations emerged on the map.

Formal historical narrative.

Após o veredito, houve uma onda de protestos por todo o país.

After the verdict, there was a wave of protests across the country.

Journalistic/social context.

Após a subsequente análise dos estratos sociais, concluiu-se a tese.

After the subsequent analysis of social strata, the thesis was concluded.

Highly academic/sociological register.

A resiliência do ecossistema foi testada após a catástrofe ambiental.

The resilience of the ecosystem was tested after the environmental catastrophe.

Scientific/formal register.

Após o crepúsculo da civilização clássica, iniciou-se a Idade Média.

After the twilight of classical civilization, the Middle Ages began.

Poetic/historical high register.

Após a promulgação da nova constituição, os direitos foram garantidos.

After the promulgation of the new constitution, rights were guaranteed.

Legal/constitutional terminology.

A alma busca repouso após a longa e árdua jornada terrena.

The soul seeks rest after the long and arduous earthly journey.

Philosophical/literary register.

Após a desintegração do bloco, a geopolítica mundial foi reconfigurada.

After the disintegration of the block, world geopolitics was reconfigured.

High-level political analysis.

Após a eclosão da pandemia, o comportamento humano sofreu mutações.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, human behavior underwent mutations.

Scientific/sociological register.

Após a vacuidade do discurso, restou apenas o silêncio dos ouvintes.

After the emptiness of the speech, only the silence of the listeners remained.

Rhetorical/literary sophistication.

Collocations courantes

logo após

após o almoço

após a reunião

dia após dia

após o expediente

após a morte

após a chuva

após o término

após a análise

um após o outro

Phrases Courantes

Logo após

— Immediately after. Used to show no delay.

Ele saiu logo após a notícia.

Dia após dia

— Day after day. Suggests persistence or monotony.

Ela estuda dia após dia.

Ano após ano

— Year after year. Indicates a long-term trend.

A empresa cresce ano após ano.

Passo após passo

— Step by step. Suggests careful progression.

Concluímos o projeto passo após passo.

Um após o outro

— One after another. Used for a series of things.

Os carros passavam um após o outro.

Após o sinal

— After the signal. Common in phone or public messages.

Deixe sua mensagem após o sinal.

Após o fato

— After the fact. Used in legal or analytical contexts.

É fácil julgar após o fato.

Após o expediente

— After working hours. Refers to leisure time.

O que você faz após o expediente?

Após a aula

— After class. Common for students.

Vamos à biblioteca após a aula.

Após o jantar

— After dinner. Refers to evening relaxation.

Lemos um livro após o jantar.

Souvent confondu avec

após vs depois de

Similar meaning, but 'depois' is an adverb requiring 'de', while 'após' is a preposition.

após vs atrás

Means 'behind' (spatial) or 'ago' (time), whereas 'após' means 'after' (sequence).

após vs aposto

Means 'bet' or 'appositive' (grammar), sounds similar but unrelated.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Dia após dia"

— Consistently over time, often implying hard work or routine.

Ele constrói seu império dia após dia.

Neutral

"Um após o outro"

— In rapid succession or in a strict line.

As vitórias vieram uma após a outra.

Neutral

"Após a tempestade vem a bonança"

— After the storm comes the calm. Things will get better.

Não desista agora; após a tempestade vem a bonança.

Proverbial

"Correr após o prejuízo"

— To try to recover from a loss or mistake (more common: correr atrás do prejuízo).

Agora temos que correr após o prejuízo.

Informal

"Ir após alguém"

— To follow or pursue someone.

Ele foi após o ladrão.

Literary

"Viver um dia após o outro"

— To take life as it comes, one day at a time.

Após o trauma, ela vive um dia após o outro.

Neutral

"Após tudo"

— After everything that happened; in the end.

Após tudo, eles ainda são amigos.

Neutral

"Cair um após o outro"

— To fail or collapse in sequence (like dominoes).

Os recordes caíram um após o outro.

Neutral

"Após o que"

— After which. Used to link complex events.

Houve um grito, após o que tudo ficou escuro.

Formal

"Após tanto tempo"

— After so much time. Expresses surprise or relief.

Após tanto tempo, finalmente nos encontramos.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

após vs depois

Both mean 'after'.

'Depois' is an adverb and usually needs 'de' before a noun. 'Após' is a preposition and stands alone.

Depois de amanhã / Após o almoço.

após vs atrás

Both relate to position.

'Atrás' is spatial (behind). 'Após' is sequential (after).

Atrás da porta / Após a aula.

após vs logo

Often used together.

'Logo' means 'soon' or 'then'. 'Após' means 'after'. Together they mean 'immediately after'.

Logo após o sinal.

após vs trás

Phonetically similar in some dialects.

'Trás' means 'back' or 'behind'. 'Após' means 'after'.

Para trás / Após o fim.

após vs desde

Both are time prepositions.

'Desde' means 'since' (starting point). 'Após' means 'after' (sequence).

Desde ontem / Após ontem.

Structures de phrases

Após + [Noun]

Após o café.

Após + [Infinitive]

Após comer.

Logo após + [Event]

Logo após a festa.

[Noun] + após + [Noun]

Dia após dia.

Após + [Personal Infinitive]

Após terminarmos.

Após + [Abstract Noun]

Após reflexão.

Após + [Passive Structure]

Após ser avisado.

Após + [Complex Clause]

Após o que foi dito.

Famille de mots

Apparenté

posteriomente

posterior

postrema

postero

postigo

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in written Portuguese, high in formal spoken Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

Após de o almoço → Após o almoço
The word 'após' is a preposition itself and does not require 'de'.
Eu vou após. → Eu vou depois.
'Após' cannot be used as a standalone adverb at the end of a sentence.
Atrás a aula → Após a aula
'Atrás' is for physical location, 'após' is for time/sequence.
Após do que ele disse → Após o que ele disse
Again, avoid the 'de' even in complex phrases.
Após de chegar em casa → Após chegar em casa
Direct connection to the infinitive verb is required.

Astuces

No 'de' needed

Always remember that 'após' is a complete preposition. Adding 'de' is a common mistake for English and Spanish speakers.

Use in Emails

To sound more professional in business emails, swap 'depois de' for 'após' when referring to dates or meetings.

Logo após

Memorize 'logo após' as a single unit meaning 'immediately after'. It's one of the most useful collocations.

News Headlines

Look for 'após' in news headlines. It's used because it's short and formal.

Open 'O'

Make sure to pronounce the 'ó' with an open sound, like in the English word 'pot'.

Repetition

Use 'dia após dia' to add a poetic or dramatic effect to your writing when describing a long process.

Public Transport

Listen for 'após' in train or subway announcements to know which station comes next.

Infinitive Verbs

When using 'após' with a verb, don't conjugate it unless you are using the personal infinitive. 'Após chegar' is usually enough.

Regional Use

In Portugal, you might hear 'após' more frequently in daily life than in Brazil.

The 'S' sound

Remember the final 's' can sound like 'sh' (Portugal) or 's' (Brazil). Both are correct!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'A POSitive' step forward. You take a positive step *after* (após) you finish your work.

Association visuelle

Imagine a line of people. One person is standing 'após' (after) the other. The 'ó' in 'após' looks like a person's head in a line.

Word Web

Depois Posterior Seguinte Atrás Sucessão Cronologia Ordem Tempo

Défi

Try to write five sentences about your morning routine using only 'após' instead of 'depois de'. For example: 'Após acordar, bebo café.'

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin 'ad post'. The Latin 'ad' (to/toward) combined with 'post' (after/behind) to create a preposition indicating movement or position following something else.

Sens originel : Toward the back or following in time.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral grammatical term.

English speakers often over-rely on 'depois de' because it maps directly to 'after of' (conceptually). Learning 'após' helps break this habit and improves writing style.

Found in the Portuguese Constitution (Constituição da República Portuguesa) numerous times. Commonly used in 'Fado' lyrics to describe the passage of time and longing. Frequently appears in the headlines of 'O Globo' and 'Público' newspapers.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

News Reporting

Após o incidente...
Após a coletiva de imprensa...
Após a votação no Senado...
Após o fechamento da bolsa...

Professional Emails

Após o nosso contato...
Após revisar o documento...
Após a confirmação do pagamento...
Após o término do prazo...

Cooking Recipes

Após ferver a água...
Após misturar os ingredientes...
Após 20 minutos no forno...
Após esfriar...

Directions/Navigation

Após o semáforo...
Após a rotatória...
Após passar o posto...
Após a segunda rua...

Academic Writing

Após a coleta de dados...
Após a revisão bibliográfica...
Após a análise dos resultados...
Após a conclusão do estudo...

Amorces de conversation

"O que você costuma fazer logo após acordar?"

"Você prefere estudar antes ou após o almoço?"

"O que aconteceu na sua vida após você começar a aprender português?"

"Qual é o melhor lugar para ir após um longo dia de trabalho?"

"Você gosta de caminhar após o jantar?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descreva sua rotina matinal usando a palavra 'após' pelo menos cinco vezes.

Reflita sobre uma grande mudança que ocorreu na sua vida após uma decisão difícil.

Escreva sobre um evento histórico e o que aconteceu imediatamente após ele.

Como você se sente após completar um objetivo importante?

Descreva um dia perfeito, detalhando cada atividade uma após a outra.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, 'após' is a preposition and does not need 'de'. Say 'após o almoço' instead of 'após do almoço'.

Yes, 'após' is generally preferred in formal writing, journalism, and professional contexts.

Yes, but only to show order in a sequence (like a line), not to mean 'behind' a physical object like a house.

No, it is an invariable preposition. It stays 'após' whether the next word is singular or plural.

No, 'após' must be followed by an object. Use 'depois' if you want to say 'afterwards' at the end of a sentence.

'Após' means after, while 'logo após' means immediately after.

Yes, it is very common in Brazilian news, books, and formal speech, though 'depois de' is more common in casual talk.

Yes, use it with the infinitive form of the verb, like 'após comer' or 'após sair'.

Yes, in many Brazilian accents, the 's' in 'após' and the 'z' in 'arroz' are pronounced similarly.

It is introduced at the A1/A2 level, but mastery of its formal use is a B1/B2 skill.

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