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B1 preposition 8 min de lecture

desta

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces desta en 30 secondes

Explication desta in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to 'desta' as a simple way to express likes and needs regarding feminine objects they are holding or are very close to. The focus is on the basic contraction of 'de' + 'esta'. Students learn that they cannot say 'de esta' and must use the fused form. Examples at this level usually involve concrete nouns like 'água', 'fruta', or 'casa'. The goal is to recognize the word in simple sentences like 'Eu gosto desta cor' (I like this color) and to understand that the 'a' at the end signifies a feminine object. Grammar is kept simple, focusing on the immediate physical environment of the speaker.

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At A2, the usage of 'desta' expands to include more verbs that require the preposition 'de', such as 'precisar' (to need) or 'falar' (to talk). Learners begin to use 'desta' to describe parts of things, like 'a porta desta casa' (the door of this house). They also start to encounter 'desta' in basic time expressions, specifically 'desta vez' (this time), which is essential for telling simple stories or sequences of events. The distinction between 'desta' (near me) and 'dessa' (near you) is introduced but might still be a point of confusion that the learner is working to resolve through practice.

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At the B1 level, the learner should be comfortable using 'desta' in a variety of contexts, including more abstract ones. You will use it to refer to ideas, situations, or news currently being discussed ('O que você acha desta notícia?'). B1 learners also start to use 'desta' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'além desta' (besides this one) or 'apesar desta' (despite this). The use of 'desta' to refer to a specific point in a text or a specific part of a conversation becomes more common. The learner is expected to maintain correct gender and number agreement ('desta' vs 'destas' vs 'deste') with high consistency.

By B2, 'desta' is used fluently in argumentative contexts. The speaker uses it to anchor their points: 'Desta maneira, podemos concluir...' (In this way, we can conclude...). There is a nuanced understanding of how 'desta' functions in formal writing versus informal speech. The learner can handle 'desta' in idiomatic expressions and knows when to use it for emphasis. They also understand the subtle temporal use where 'desta' refers to the current month or year in a formal letter ('No dia 15 desta mês' - though 'deste mês' is more common, 'desta semana' is frequent). The distinction between 'desta' and 'dessa' is now a tool for clarity rather than a struggle.

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At the C1 level, the speaker uses 'desta' with stylistic precision. They might use it in literary or highly formal contexts to refer back to a complex feminine noun phrase mentioned previously. The use of 'desta' in legal, academic, or professional jargon is mastered (e.g., 'nos termos desta lei'). The speaker can also detect when 'desta' is used ironically or for specific rhetorical effects in literature. They are aware of regional variations in pronunciation and usage across the Lusophone world, such as the slightly different frequencies of 'desta' vs 'dessa' in Portugal versus Brazil in various registers.

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At the C2 level, 'desta' is an integrated part of a vast linguistic repertoire. The speaker uses it effortlessly in high-level spontaneous discourse, including complex philosophical or technical debates. They can navigate the most archaic or specialized uses of the word found in classical Portuguese literature. The C2 user understands the historical evolution of the contraction from Latin and can explain its function to others. There is zero hesitation in agreement or proximity usage, and 'desta' is used to create cohesive, sophisticated texts where demonstratives guide the reader through intricate logic and spatial-temporal frameworks.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

desta en 30 secondes

Desta is the mandatory contraction of 'de' (of/from) and 'esta' (this - feminine).
It is used for feminine singular nouns that are physically or metaphorically close to the speaker.
Commonly used with verbs like 'gostar' and 'precisar', and to show possession or origin.
The masculine equivalent is 'deste', and the plural feminine form is 'destas'.

The word desta is a fundamental contraction in the Portuguese language, serving as the bridge between the preposition de (of, from, about) and the feminine singular demonstrative pronoun esta (this). In the landscape of Romance languages, Portuguese is particularly fond of these morphological fusions, which streamline speech and create a rhythmic flow. When you use desta, you are specifically referring to something feminine and singular that is physically or metaphorically close to the speaker. This proximity is the 'first person' demonstrative sphere—things you can touch, things you are currently discussing, or the current moment in time.

Morphological Composition: It is the result of the mandatory contraction De + Esta. Unlike English where 'of this' remains two words, in Portuguese, keeping them separate ('de esta') is considered grammatically incorrect in standard speech.
Spatial Relation: It indicates an object within the speaker's reach. If you are holding a pen (caneta), you speak of the ink 'desta caneta'.

Eu gosto muito da cor desta blusa que estou usando.

Translation: I really like the color of this blouse I am wearing.

Beyond physical objects, desta is frequently used to refer to the current situation or a specific point in time. Phrases like 'a partir desta data' (from this date forward) anchor the communication in the present. It is also a tool for possession; instead of saying 'the lid of this box', a Portuguese speaker says 'a tampa desta caixa'. The word is ubiquitous in both formal literature and casual street slang, though its pronunciation might vary slightly in speed. In a formal legal document, it might specify 'os termos desta cláusula' (the terms of this clause), whereas in a kitchen, someone might say 'preciso de um pouco desta farinha' (I need a bit of this flour). Understanding desta is essential because it is one of the most frequently used contractions, appearing in almost every conversation that involves describing, locating, or assigning ownership to things in the immediate environment.

Using desta correctly requires a dual focus: identifying the prepositional need and ensuring gender agreement. Because it contains the preposition de, it appears whenever a verb or noun requires that preposition. For instance, the verb gostar (to like) always requires de. Therefore, 'I like this shirt' becomes 'Eu gosto desta camisa'.

Indicating Possession: Used to show that something belongs to the 'this' being mentioned. Example: 'A qualidade desta tela é incrível' (The quality of this screen is incredible).
Origin and Source: When talking about where something comes from. Example: 'Eu tirei a ideia desta revista' (I took the idea from this magazine).

Você precisa participar desta reunião hoje.

Translation: You need to participate in this meeting today (Note: 'participar' often takes 'de' in certain contexts or implies 'of this group').

Não saia desta sala até eu voltar.

Translation: Don't leave (out of) this room until I return.

In more complex sentence structures, desta can act as a reference to a previous feminine noun to avoid repetition, though this is more common with pronouns like 'desta aqui' or 'desta mesma'. It is also vital in temporal expressions. 'Desta vez' (this time) is perhaps the most common idiomatic use, signaling a change in pattern or a specific occurrence. 'Desta maneira' (in this way) helps in explaining processes. When writing, ensure the 'a' at the end of desta matches the feminine noun that follows or is being referred to. If the noun is 'livro' (book), you must switch to 'deste'. If you are referring to 'água' (water), desta is your tool. The word also appears in the phrase 'além desta' (besides this one), which is useful for comparisons and lists.

In the daily life of a Portuguese speaker, desta is heard in almost every environment. In a supermarket (supermercado), you will hear customers saying, 'Quero meio quilo desta carne' (I want half a kilo of this meat) while pointing to a specific cut. The physical proximity is key here; desta is for things you can almost touch. In a business meeting, a presenter might say, 'Os resultados desta análise são positivos' (The results of this analysis are positive), referring to the data currently on the screen.

In the Kitchen: 'Coloque uma colher desta manteiga.' (Put a spoon of this butter.)
In Fashion and Shopping: 'Gostei desta saia, mas não daquela.' (I liked this skirt, but not that one.)

— Você gosta desta música? — Sim, é a minha favorita!

Translation: — Do you like this song? — Yes, it's my favorite!

You will also hear it in emotional contexts. Someone might say, 'Eu não aguento mais o barulho desta vizinha!' (I can't stand the noise of this neighbor anymore!), where the proximity is both physical (next door) and immediate in the speaker's mind. In news broadcasts, anchors use it to refer to the current edition: 'As notícias desta edição...' (The news of this edition...). It is also a staple in Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) for dramatic reveals: 'Eu sou a dona desta casa!' (I am the owner of this house!). The versatility of desta makes it a 'workhorse' word—it isn't flashy, but it's doing the heavy lifting in identifying exactly which feminine noun we are talking about in relation to the speaker's current reality.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with desta is failing to contract the words. Beginners often say 'de esta', which sounds unnatural and 'choppy' to a native ear. In Portuguese, these contractions are not optional; they are the standard. Another significant hurdle is gender agreement. Because English uses the gender-neutral 'this', learners often default to one form (usually 'deste') and forget to switch to desta for feminine nouns like mesa (table), cidade (city), or ideia (idea).

The 'Desta' vs. 'Dessa' Confusion: This is the 'boss level' of demonstrative mistakes. 'Desta' is for things near the speaker. 'Dessa' is for things near the listener. Using 'desta' for something the other person is holding is a common error.
Pluralization Errors: Forgetting to add the 's' when the noun is plural. 'Gosto desta flores' is wrong; it must be 'destas flores'.

Incorrect: Eu preciso de esta chave.
Correct: Eu preciso desta chave.

Always contract 'de' + 'esta'.

Learners also struggle with the prepositional requirement. Sometimes they use desta when they should just use esta. For example, 'I want this apple' is 'Eu quero esta maçã' (no 'de' required). But 'I like this apple' is 'Eu gosto desta maçã' (because gostar requires de). Mixing these up can change the meaning or make the sentence ungrammatical. Lastly, in written Portuguese, especially in Brazil, there is a tendency to use 'dessa' even when 'desta' is technically correct according to strict grammar rules. However, for a learner, sticking to the 'speaker-proximity' rule for desta is the safest and most accurate path.

To master desta, you must understand its neighbors in the demonstrative family. The primary alternatives are dessa and daquela. These three words represent the three degrees of distance in Portuguese.

Desta vs. Dessa: 'Desta' is for things close to me (the speaker). 'Dessa' is for things close to you (the listener). If I talk about the chair I am sitting on, it's 'desta cadeira'. If I talk about the chair you are sitting on, it's 'dessa cadeira'.
Desta vs. Daquela: 'Daquela' is for things far from both of us. 'Eu não gosto desta cor aqui, prefiro a cor daquela parede lá longe' (I don't like this color here, I prefer the color of that wall way over there).
Desta vs. Deste: The only difference is gender. 'Deste' for masculine (deste carro), 'desta' for feminine (desta bicicleta).

Não quero falar desta situação, mas sim daquela que ocorreu ontem.

Comparing 'this situation' (current/close) with 'that situation' (past/distant).

Other related words include disto, which is the neutral form used when you don't know the name of the object or are referring to an abstract concept ('Eu não gosto disto' - I don't like this/this thing). There is also destoutro/destoutra (of this other one), though this is quite archaic or very formal/literary and rarely heard in daily speech. Understanding the contrast between desta and its counterparts is the key to spatial fluency in Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The contraction 'desta' has been part of Portuguese since its earliest written records, reflecting the language's tendency to merge prepositions with pronouns for phonetic efficiency.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈdɛʃ.tɐ/

US /ˈdɛs.tɐ/

First syllable (DES-ta).

Rime avec

Festa Cesta Testa Gesta Aresta Modesta Fresta Inesta

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'de esta' as two separate words.
Using a closed 'e' sound like 'day-sta' (it should be 'deh-sta').
Pronouncing the final 'a' too long or like an 'ah' (it's usually short and neutral).
In some regions, failing to palatalize the 's' (making it 'sh') in European Portuguese.
Mixing it up with 'desta' (of this) and 'destá' (non-existent, but confused with 'está').

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize once the contraction 'de + esta' is known.

Écriture 4/5

Requires remembering gender agreement and mandatory contraction.

Expression orale 3/5

Natural flow requires using it instead of 'de esta'.

Écoute 3/5

Can be spoken very quickly, sounding like 'd'sta'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

De Esta Este Deste

Apprends ensuite

Dessa Daquela Disto Nesta

Avancé

Destoutro Desta feita Desta sorte

Grammaire à connaître

Contraction with Prepositions

de + esta = desta

Gender Agreement

desta (feminine) vs deste (masculine)

Number Agreement

desta (singular) vs destas (plural)

Spatial Deixis

Desta (near speaker) vs Dessa (near listener)

Verbal Regence

Gostar + de (Eu gosto desta...)

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Exemples par niveau

Eu gosto desta maçã.

I like this apple.

Gostar + de + esta = desta. 'Maçã' is feminine.

A cor desta flor é linda.

The color of this flower is beautiful.

Possession: The color belongs to the flower.

Eu moro perto desta praça.

I live near this square.

Perto de + esta = desta.

Você quer um pouco desta água?

Do you want some of this water?

'Água' is feminine singular.

Eu preciso desta chave.

I need this key.

Precisar + de + esta = desta.

A janela desta sala está aberta.

The window of this room is open.

'Sala' is feminine.

Eu gosto desta música.

I like this song.

Abstract but close (currently playing).

O nome desta rua é Rua Sol.

The name of this street is Sun Street.

'Rua' is feminine.

Desta vez, eu vou ganhar!

This time, I will win!

Idiomatic time expression: 'desta vez'.

O que você acha desta ideia?

What do you think of this idea?

Achar de (opinion) + esta.

Eu tirei esta foto desta câmera.

I took this photo from this camera.

Origin/Source.

Nós saímos desta cidade ontem.

We left (from) this city yesterday.

Sair + de + esta.

Eu não gosto do cheiro desta comida.

I don't like the smell of this food.

Possession: The smell of the food.

A partir desta semana, vou estudar mais.

Starting this week, I will study more.

Temporal starting point.

Eu esqueci o nome desta atriz.

I forgot the name of this actress.

Esquecer-se de + esta.

Ela é a dona desta loja.

She is the owner of this shop.

Possession/Ownership.

Apesar desta chuva, eu vou caminhar.

Despite this rain, I am going for a walk.

Apesar de + esta = desta.

Eu não concordo com o fim desta história.

I don't agree with the end of this story.

Possession: The end of the story.

Desta maneira, o problema será resolvido.

In this way, the problem will be solved.

Manner/Method.

Você já ouviu falar desta nova tecnologia?

Have you heard of this new technology?

Ouvir falar de + esta.

Eu preciso de uma cópia desta página.

I need a copy of this page.

Partitive/Source.

A qualidade desta imagem é muito baixa.

The quality of this image is very low.

Attribute/Possession.

Ninguém gosta desta situação incerta.

Nobody likes this uncertain situation.

Abstract feminine noun.

O sucesso desta empresa depende de nós.

The success of this company depends on us.

Possession/Relationship.

O autor desta obra é desconhecido.

The author of this work is unknown.

Formal attribution.

Desta forma, evitamos mal-entendidos futuros.

In this way, we avoid future misunderstandings.

Conjunctional phrase for logic.

Gostaria de participar desta iniciativa.

I would like to participate in this initiative.

Participar de + esta.

A conclusão desta tese foi muito difícil.

The conclusion of this thesis was very difficult.

Complex noun phrase.

Nada restou desta antiga civilização.

Nothing remained of this ancient civilization.

Restar de + esta.

O impacto desta decisão será enorme.

The impact of this decision will be huge.

Abstract cause and effect.

A partir desta premissa, o argumento falha.

From this premise, the argument fails.

Logical starting point.

Estamos diante desta grande oportunidade.

We are facing this great opportunity.

Metaphorical proximity.

A hermenêutica desta lei é complexa.

The hermeneutics of this law is complex.

Academic/Legal register.

Não se pode dissociar o conteúdo desta forma.

One cannot dissociate the content from this form.

Sophisticated verbal construction.

A sutiliza desta nuance escapa a muitos.

The subtlety of this nuance escapes many.

High-level abstract noun.

Desta feita, o governo recuou na sua decisão.

This time (formal), the government backed down on its decision.

'Desta feita' is a formal synonym for 'desta vez'.

A gênese desta crise remonta ao século passado.

The genesis of this crisis dates back to the last century.

Historical/Analytical register.

O cerne desta questão é puramente ético.

The core of this issue is purely ethical.

Identifying the essence of a topic.

Desta sorte, conseguimos um resultado satisfatório.

In this way/Thus, we achieved a satisfactory result.

'Desta sorte' is a literary way to say 'in this manner'.

A magnitude desta tragédia é incomensurável.

The magnitude of this tragedy is immeasurable.

Intense emotional/descriptive register.

A exegese desta obra literária exige erudição.

The exegesis of this literary work requires erudition.

Highest academic register.

Desta simbiose nasce uma nova perspectiva.

From this symbiosis, a new perspective is born.

Metaphorical/Scientific usage.

A perenidade desta tradição é notável.

The perennial nature of this tradition is notable.

Abstract temporal concept.

O alcance desta medida transcende fronteiras.

The scope of this measure transcends borders.

Global/Political discourse.

Desta amálgama de culturas surge o povo brasileiro.

From this amalgam of cultures arises the Brazilian people.

Sophisticated sociological description.

A obsolescência desta tecnologia era previsível.

The obsolescence of this technology was predictable.

Technical/Economic register.

Pela análise desta conjuntura, vemos a mudança.

By analyzing this conjuncture/situation, we see the change.

Formal situational analysis.

A transitoriedade desta vida é um tema recorrente.

The transience of this life is a recurring theme.

Philosophical/Poetic register.

Collocations courantes

Desta vez

Desta maneira

Desta forma

A partir desta

O autor desta

Além desta

Dentro desta

Gosto desta

Preciso desta

Falar desta

Phrases Courantes

Desta vez passa.

— This time it's okay / I'll let it slide.

Você chegou atrasado, mas desta vez passa.

Desta para melhor.

— To pass away (literally: from this [life] to a better one).

Infelizmente, ele partiu desta para melhor.

Não saio desta.

— I'm not leaving this (place/situation).

Não saio desta cadeira até terminar.

Desta água não beberei.

— Never say never.

Ele disse que nunca casaria, mas 'desta água não beberei'...

O que vem desta?

— What comes from this?

O que vem desta conversa toda?

Desta feita.

— On this occasion / This time.

Desta feita, o plano funcionou perfeitamente.

A dona desta casa.

— The lady of this house.

Eu gostaria de falar com a dona desta casa.

Desta maneira não dá.

— It won't work this way.

Desta maneira não dá para continuar trabalhando.

Tirar proveito desta.

— To take advantage of this (situation/thing).

Precisamos tirar proveito desta oportunidade.

Por causa desta.

— Because of this (feminine thing).

Tudo deu errado por causa desta chuva.

Souvent confondu avec

desta vs Dessa

English speakers use 'of this' for both, but Portuguese distinguishes based on proximity to the listener.

desta vs Deste

Masculine vs Feminine. This is the most common error.

desta vs Distá

Learners sometimes confuse 'desta' with the verb 'está' (is) when preceded by 'de'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Partir desta para melhor"

— A euphemism for dying.

O avô dela partiu desta para melhor no mês passado.

Neutral/Common

"Desta água não beberei"

— Used to say you will never do something, often ironically because you might end up doing it.

Nunca diga 'desta água não beberei', a vida dá voltas.

Idiomatic/Proverbial

"Desta vez é para valer"

— This time it's for real / This time it's serious.

Eles terminaram muitas vezes, mas desta vez é para valer.

Informal

"Sair desta"

— To overcome a difficult situation or illness.

Ele está muito doente, mas vai sair desta.

Informal

"Não passo desta noite"

— I won't survive this night (dramatic or literal).

Estou tão cansado que sinto que não passo desta noite.

Informal/Dramatic

"Cair desta vida"

— To fall into a life of crime or prostitution (older usage).

Ela infelizmente caiu desta vida por falta de opção.

Archaic/Sensitive

"Desta para a outra"

— From this life to the next.

A passagem desta para a outra é um mistério.

Philosophical

"Desta massa"

— Of this 'stock' or 'caliber' (referring to a person's character).

Ele é feito desta massa, nunca desiste.

Literary

"Desta lavra"

— Produced by this person (usually referring to writing).

O poema é desta lavra, reconheço o estilo.

Formal/Literary

"Desta feita não"

— Not this time / Not on this occasion.

Você quer ir ao cinema? Desta feita não, obrigado.

Formal

Facile à confondre

desta vs Dessa

Both mean 'of this' in English contexts.

'Desta' is for something near the speaker. 'Dessa' is for something near the listener or recently mentioned in a less immediate way.

Eu gosto desta minha caneta, mas não dessa sua.

desta vs Deste

Gender difference only.

'Deste' is masculine, 'desta' is feminine.

Gosto deste livro e desta revista.

desta vs Daquela

Distance difference.

'Desta' is 'of this' (here). 'Daquela' is 'of that' (over there).

A cor desta mesa é melhor que a daquela.

desta vs Disto

Neutral vs Feminine.

'Disto' is neutral (of this thing/concept). 'Desta' must refer to a specific feminine noun.

Eu não gosto disto (this thing), mas gosto desta música.

desta vs Nesta

Preposition difference.

'Nesta' is 'in this' (em + esta). 'Desta' is 'of this' (de + esta).

Eu moro nesta casa (in this) / Eu gosto desta casa (of this).

Structures de phrases

Eu gosto desta [feminine noun].

Eu gosto desta fruta.

Desta vez, [future action].

Desta vez, eu vou estudar.

O que você acha desta [abstract feminine noun]?

O que você acha desta situação?

A partir desta [time unit]...

A partir desta semana...

Desta maneira, [consequence].

Desta maneira, economizamos tempo.

A análise desta [complex noun] revela...

A análise desta conjuntura revela mudanças.

Desta feita, [formal action].

Desta feita, o autor decidiu mudar o final.

Desta [abstract concept] decorre...

Desta premissa decorre a conclusão.

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Deste (masculine singular)

Destas (feminine plural)

Destes (masculine plural)

Disto (neutral)

Esta (demonstrative)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in all registers.

Erreurs courantes

Eu gosto de esta música. → Eu gosto desta música.
You must contract 'de' and 'esta'. Leaving them separate is grammatically incorrect.
Eu preciso deste chave. → Eu preciso desta chave.
'Chave' (key) is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine contraction 'desta'.
Gosto desta sapatos. → Gosto destes sapatos.
'Sapatos' is masculine and plural. 'Desta' is feminine and singular. They don't match.
Vou sair dessa sala agora (while in the room). → Vou sair desta sala agora.
Since the speaker is inside the room, 'desta' (near speaker) is more appropriate than 'dessa'.
Eu não gosto de esta situação. → Eu não gosto desta situação.
Abstract nouns like 'situação' also require the mandatory contraction.

Astuces

Always Contract

Never leave 'de' and 'esta' separate. The contraction 'desta' is mandatory in all levels of Portuguese, from slang to legal documents.

Match the Ending

If the noun ends in 'a', it's a high chance you need 'desta'. If it ends in 'o', you need 'deste'. Consistency is key for sounding natural.

The Touch Test

If you can reach out and touch the object, use 'desta'. If you have to point at the listener's area, use 'dessa'.

Desta Vez

Memorize 'desta vez' as a single unit. It's one of the most common ways to say 'this time' and will make you sound much more fluent.

Preposition Triggers

Learn which verbs take 'de'. Gostar, precisar, and falar are the big three. Whenever you use them with 'esta', you'll get 'desta'.

Open your E

The first 'e' in 'desta' is open /ɛ/. Think of the 'e' in 'egg' or 'pet'. If you close it too much, it might sound like a different word.

Legal Register

In formal letters, 'desta' is used to refer to the city or the month you are in. It's a hallmark of professional Portuguese.

Speed Check

Natives say 'desta' very fast. It often sounds like one syllable 'dsta'. Practice hearing the 'd' and 't' sounds close together.

Word Family

Once you learn 'desta', you've basically learned 'deste', 'destas', and 'destes'. It's a 4-for-1 deal for your vocabulary!

Never say never

Use 'Desta água não beberei' to impress natives when someone says they will never do something common.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'DES-ta' as 'DES' (of) and 'TA' (this - feminine). If it ends in 'A', it's for feminine things like 'casA' or 'meninA'.

Association visuelle

Imagine you are holding a feminine object, like a 'caneta' (pen). Point to it and say 'desta'. The 'a' at the end of 'desta' matches the 'a' at the end of 'caneta'.

Word Web

De Esta Deste Dessa Disto Daquele Daquela Destas

Défi

Try to find 5 feminine objects in your room right now and say 'Eu gosto desta...' for each one.

Origine du mot

From the contraction of the Portuguese preposition 'de' (derived from Latin 'de') and the demonstrative pronoun 'esta' (derived from Latin 'ista').

Sens originel : Of this / From this (feminine).

Romance (Indo-European).

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using 'desta vida' as it can sometimes refer to sex work in very old-fashioned contexts.

English speakers often struggle because they only have 'of this'. They need to learn to 'gender' their 'this'.

Song: 'Desta Vez' by various Brazilian artists (common title). Literature: 'A Relíquia' by Eça de Queirós uses 'desta' frequently to describe objects. Common Proverb: 'Desta água não beberei'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

O preço desta blusa
Gostei desta cor
Tem desta em tamanho M?
Vou levar desta

At Home

A chave desta porta
A limpeza desta sala
O dono desta casa
Preciso desta ferramenta

Work/Office

Os resultados desta análise
A pauta desta reunião
O fim desta tarefa
Desta maneira, o projeto...

Travel

O mapa desta cidade
A história desta igreja
A saída desta estação
Gosto desta praia

General Conversation

Desta vez
Por causa desta
O que você acha desta?
Além desta

Amorces de conversation

"O que você acha desta música que está tocando?"

"Você já tinha ouvido falar desta nova regra?"

"Gostaria de um pouco desta sobremesa?"

"Como você chegou a esta conclusão desta vez?"

"Você conhece a história desta rua?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreva sobre uma característica desta cidade que você adora.

Descreva o que você espera alcançar desta vez no seu estudo de português.

Fale sobre a importância desta amizade na sua vida.

O que você mudaria na rotina desta semana?

Descreva o sabor desta comida que você provou recentemente.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, in Portuguese, these contractions are mandatory. Saying 'de esta' sounds very unnatural and is considered a grammatical error in both spoken and written language. Always combine them into 'desta'.

Use 'desta' when the object is close to you (the speaker). Use 'dessa' when the object is close to the person you are talking to. For example, 'desta minha mão' (of this hand of mine) vs 'dessa sua mão' (of that hand of yours).

No, it is also used for abstract concepts and time. 'Desta vez' means 'this time', and 'desta ideia' means 'of this idea'. It applies to any feminine noun, whether physical or abstract.

The masculine version is 'deste'. Use 'deste' for masculine nouns like 'carro', 'livro', or 'trabalho'. For example: 'Eu gosto deste carro'.

To make it plural, simply add an 's' at the end: 'destas'. Use it for feminine plural nouns. For example: 'Eu gosto destas flores'.

The meaning remains the same, but the pronunciation changes. in Portugal, the 's' is often palatalized (sh), while in Brazil, it is usually a dental 's'. In some Brazilian regions, people use 'dessa' more frequently than 'desta'.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable and necessary in formal writing. In very formal contexts, you might also see 'desta feita' instead of 'desta vez'.

In Portuguese, the verb 'gostar' always requires the preposition 'de'. So, 'I like this' becomes 'Eu gosto DE esta', which must contract to 'Eu gosto DESTA'.

Yes, because the preposition 'de' can mean 'of', 'from', or 'about'. So 'Eu saí desta sala' means 'I left (from) this room'.

Yes, the neutral version is 'disto'. Use 'disto' when you are referring to 'this thing' or an abstract concept without a specific gendered noun. 'Eu não gosto disto'.

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