pelos

The word pelos is a fundamental contraction in the Portuguese language, arising from the fusion of the preposition por (which can mean by, through, for, or per) and the masculine plural definite article os (the). In Portuguese, contracting prepositions with articles is not merely an option but a grammatical requirement for natural and correct speech. When you encounter 'pelos', you are witnessing a linguistic bridge that connects an action or a state to a specific group of masculine plural objects or people. This contraction is essential for expressing movement through a space, the means by which an action is performed, the cause behind a situation, or a specific duration in time. It is one of the first major hurdles for English speakers because English maintains the preposition and the article as separate entities ('by the' or 'through the'), whereas Portuguese demands their synthesis. Understanding 'pelos' requires a firm grasp of when to use the underlying preposition 'por'. If you are moving through the parks, you are going pelos parques. If you are being recognized for the efforts you've made, you are recognized pelos esforços. It is a word that signifies transition, agency, and plural specificity.

Grammatical Composition

The word is formed by the preposition 'por' + the article 'os'. The 'r' in 'por' drops and is replaced by 'l' to facilitate the contraction, a remnant of archaic Portuguese forms like 'per'.

Core Functions

It serves to indicate movement through plural masculine locations, the cause or reason for something involving plural masculine nouns, and the agent of a passive sentence.

Beyond its role as a contraction, it is vital to note that 'pelos' is also the plural form of the noun pelo, which means 'hair' (usually referring to body hair or animal fur). While the context almost always makes the meaning clear, a learner must be aware of this homonymy. In the context of 'by the', 'pelos' is used in nearly every register of the language, from the most informal street talk to the most formal legal documents. It is a workhorse of the language. If you are thanking someone for the gifts they brought, you would say 'Obrigado pelos presentes'. Here, 'pelos' indicates the reason for the gratitude. If you are talking about someone who was seen walking by the fields, you would say 'visto pelos campos'. The versatility of 'pelos' is tied directly to the versatility of 'por'. It can indicate a path: 'passar pelos jardins'. It can indicate a distribution: 'distribuir pelos alunos'. It can even indicate a price or exchange in specific plural contexts, though this is less common than simple movement or cause. Mastery of 'pelos' marks the transition from a beginner who translates word-for-word to an intermediate learner who understands the structural flow of Portuguese syntax.

Spatial Usage

Used with verbs of motion like 'ir', 'vir', 'passar', and 'caminhar' to show the route taken through plural masculine objects.

In summary, 'pelos' is an indispensable tool. It appears in literature, daily conversation, news reports, and academic papers. It bridges the gap between a simple preposition and the objects it governs. Its frequency in the language is extremely high, making it one of the top 100 most used words in Portuguese. Whether you are describing a journey through the mountains (pelos montes) or expressing gratitude for the efforts of a team (pelos esforços da equipe), 'pelos' is the linguistic glue that holds the sentence together. Its dual nature as both a contraction and a noun (hairs) adds a layer of depth to the language, though the contraction is used significantly more often in general discourse. To truly sound Portuguese, you must stop thinking of 'por' and 'os' as separate units and embrace the unified sound and structure of 'pelos'.

Using pelos correctly involves recognizing the relationship between a verb and its complement. In Portuguese, the preposition 'por' is required by many verbs to indicate the agent, the path, or the reason. When that complement is a masculine plural noun, the contraction 'pelos' is mandatory. Let's explore the various syntactic environments where 'pelos' thrives. First, consider the passive voice. In English, we use 'by' to indicate the agent of the action (e.g., 'The books were written by the authors'). In Portuguese, this becomes 'Os livros foram escritos pelos autores'. Here, 'pelos' directly identifies who performed the action. Without this contraction, the sentence would be grammatically incomplete and sound jarring to a native speaker. The contraction ensures a rhythmic flow that is characteristic of Romance languages.

Passive Voice Agent

Identifying who does the action in a passive construction. Example: 'Os caminhos foram traçados pelos antepassados'.

Another common usage is to describe movement through a series of points or a general area. If you are traveling through the outskirts of a city, you are traveling 'pelos arredores'. If you are looking through the windows, you are looking 'pelos vidros'. This spatial use is very frequent in travel narratives and directions. It implies a trajectory that intersects with the objects mentioned. Unlike 'em' (in/at), which suggests a static position, 'pelos' suggests a dynamic passage. It is the difference between being 'in the woods' (nos bosques) and going 'through the woods' (pelos bosques). This distinction is vital for accurate description. Furthermore, 'pelos' is used to express gratitude or apology directed at plural masculine things. 'Desculpe pelos atrasos' (Sorry for the delays) or 'Obrigado pelos conselhos' (Thank you for the advice). In these cases, it functions as 'for the'.

We also see 'pelos' used in distributive contexts or to indicate frequency. For example, 'duas vezes pelos meses' is rare, but 'pelos menos' (at least) is a fixed expression that looks similar but has a different origin. However, 'pelos' often appears in phrases like 'pelos quatro cantos do mundo' (through the four corners of the world), indicating a wide distribution. In academic and formal writing, 'pelos' is used to cite sources or methods: 'pelos métodos descritos acima' (by the methods described above). It establishes a logical link between the methodology and the result. In legal Portuguese, it is used to denote representation: 'representados pelos seus advogados' (represented by their lawyers). The word is truly a chameleon, adapting its English translation to fit the semantic needs of the Portuguese verb it accompanies. Whether it is 'by', 'through', or 'for', 'pelos' remains the constant form for masculine plural articles.

Fixed Expressions

Phrases like 'pelos vistos' (apparently) and 'pelos cabelos' (by the hair/fed up) use this contraction in idiomatic ways.

Finally, consider the emotive use of 'pelos'. When someone says 'pelos filhos', they might be expressing a motivation: 'Tudo o que faço é pelos meus filhos' (Everything I do is for my children). Here, it denotes the beneficiary or the reason for one's actions. It carries a weight of purpose. In religious or solemn contexts, you might hear 'pelos séculos dos séculos' (forever and ever / through the ages of ages). This adds a temporal dimension to the word, showing its ability to span across time. As you practice, try to identify the 'por' and the 'os' hidden within 'pelos'. Ask yourself: Is there movement? Is there a reason? Is there an agent? If the answer is yes and the object is masculine plural, 'pelos' is your word. It is a small word that carries the weight of entire relationships between ideas.

You will hear pelos in almost every facet of Lusophone life. In the bustling streets of Lisbon or São Paulo, you'll hear it in directions: 'Siga pelos trilhos do bonde' (Follow the tram tracks). Here, 'pelos' acts as a guide, showing the way. In a domestic setting, a parent might tell a child, 'Não deixe os brinquedos espalhados pelos quartos' (Don't leave the toys scattered through the rooms). In this context, it describes a state of distribution across a plural masculine space. The word is ubiquitous because the preposition 'por' is one of the most versatile in the language, and masculine plural nouns are incredibly common. It is not a word reserved for books; it is the bread and butter of daily communication. When people talk about their travels, their motivations, or their responsibilities, 'pelos' inevitably appears. It is a sound that blends into the background of the language because of its frequency.

In the News

News anchors often use it to describe events: 'A manifestação passou pelos principais monumentos da cidade'.

In Sports

Commentators use it to describe the ball's movement: 'A bola passou pelos defensores antes de entrar no gol'.

In the workplace, 'pelos' is used to assign credit or blame. 'O projeto foi elogiado pelos clientes' (The project was praised by the customers). It is also used in logistical discussions: 'As mercadorias serão enviadas pelos correios' (The goods will be sent by the post/mail). Note how in English we might say 'by mail', but in Portuguese, we often use the plural 'pelos correios'. This is a common pattern where Portuguese uses a plural definite article where English might use a generic singular. In social media, you see it in captions: 'Grata pelos momentos incríveis' (Grateful for the amazing moments). It’s a word that connects the speaker to their experiences. Even in music, especially in Fado or MPB, 'pelos' is used to evoke a sense of longing or journey: 'andei pelos caminhos do mundo'. It adds a poetic layer to the idea of wandering or experiencing life's ups and downs.

In formal speeches or political discourse, 'pelos' is used to invoke collective values. 'Lutamos pelos interesses do povo' (We fight for the interests of the people). It identifies the beneficiary of political action. In legal contexts, it is used to define the scope of a contract: 'pelos termos deste contrato' (by the terms of this contract). In all these scenarios, 'pelos' serves as a precise pointer. It doesn't just say 'by' or 'through'; it says 'by those specific masculine plural things'. This specificity is what makes the contraction so powerful. It anchors the preposition to its object immediately. As you listen to Portuguese podcasts or watch Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas), pay attention to how 'pelos' is used to link emotions to their causes. You'll hear characters say they are 'apaixonados pelos detalhes' (in love with the details) or 'tristes pelos acontecimentos' (sad about the events). It is the connective tissue of emotional expression.

In Literature

Authors like Machado de Assis or Fernando Pessoa use 'pelos' to create complex descriptions of settings and character motivations.

Finally, in academic lectures, you will hear 'pelos' used to explain theories: 'pelos princípios da termodinâmica' (by the principles of thermodynamics). It establishes the framework within which a statement is true. Whether you are in a lab, a stadium, a kitchen, or a courtroom, 'pelos' is there. It is a word that transcends social class and context. It is simply a core part of how Portuguese speakers organize their thoughts and describe the world around them. By learning to hear and use 'pelos', you are tuning your ears to the very frequency of the Portuguese language. It is a small sound with a massive presence, a tiny contraction that carries the weight of history, geography, and human emotion in every syllable.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is failing to contract por and os. In English, 'by the' is two words, so beginners often say 'por os'. While a native speaker will understand you, it sounds very unnatural—akin to saying 'do not' in a situation where 'don't' is the universal standard, but even more pronounced. In Portuguese, the contraction is not optional; it is a rule. Another common error is confusing 'pelos' with 'para os'. While both can sometimes be translated as 'for the' in English, they have different meanings in Portuguese. 'Para os' indicates a destination or a specific recipient (e.g., 'I bought this for the kids' - 'Comprei isto para os meninos'), whereas 'pelos' usually indicates a reason, an agent, or a path (e.g., 'I am responsible for the kids' - 'Sou responsável pelos meninos'). Distinguishing between these two is a hallmark of reaching the B1 level.

Mistake: Por + Os

Incorrect: 'Eu caminhei por os parques'. Correct: 'Eu caminhei pelos parques'. Always contract.

Mistake: Gender/Number Mismatch

Incorrect: 'Pelos ruas' (ruas is feminine). Correct: 'Pelas ruas'. Incorrect: 'Pelos caminho' (caminho is singular). Correct: 'Pelo caminho'.

Another subtle mistake involves the homonym 'pelos' meaning 'hairs'. While this is less about grammar and more about vocabulary, it can lead to humorous misunderstandings. For example, if you say 'Eu gosto de passar pelos animais' (I like to pass by/through the animals), but you accidentally emphasize it in a way that sounds like you are talking about the animals' fur, the meaning shifts. However, the most significant hurdle is the 'por' vs. 'para' distinction. English speakers often use 'para' for everything 'for', but 'pelos' is essential for expressing 'because of' or 'on behalf of'. If you say 'Luto para os direitos', it sounds like you are fighting to reach the rights. If you say 'Luto pelos direitos', it means you are fighting in defense of those rights. This nuance is critical in political and social discussions. Furthermore, learners sometimes forget that 'pelos' must agree with the noun even if there is an adjective in between. 'Pelos grandes esforços' is correct because 'esforços' is masculine plural.

In writing, a common error is the lack of the accent in related words, though 'pelos' itself doesn't have an accent in modern orthography (since the 1990 Orthographic Agreement). Before the agreement, the noun 'pêlos' (hairs) had a circumflex accent to distinguish it from the contraction 'pelos'. Now, they are spelled the same. This can be confusing for students looking at older texts. Another mistake is using 'pelos' when the article 'os' shouldn't be there at all. For example, in 'por todos os meios' (by all means), you use 'por' because 'todos' is there, but you still need the 'os' before 'meios', resulting in 'por todos os meios'. Some might try to say 'pelos todos meios', which is incorrect. The order is preposition + quantifier + article + noun. Finally, some learners confuse 'pelos' with 'perante' (before/in front of). While both can indicate a relationship with something, 'pelos' is much more common and versatile. Practice using 'pelos' with a variety of masculine plural nouns like 'caminhos', 'motivos', 'olhos', and 'livros' to build muscle memory.

Confusion with 'Aos'

Some learners use 'aos' (to the) when they mean 'pelos' (by/through the). Example: 'Entregue aos correios' vs 'Enviado pelos correios'.

To avoid these mistakes, it helps to memorize common verb + preposition pairs. Verbs like 'passar', 'caminhar', 'agradecer', 'esperar' (in the sense of waiting 'for'), and 'interessar-se' often take 'por'. When you pair these with masculine plural nouns, 'pelos' becomes automatic. Don't be afraid of the homonym with 'hair'; context is your best friend in Portuguese. If you are talking about a dog, 'pelos' might mean fur. If you are talking about a forest, 'pelos' almost certainly means 'through the'. By paying attention to these nuances, you will avoid the most common pitfalls and speak with greater precision and confidence.

While pelos is the most common way to say 'by the' or 'through the' (masculine plural), there are several alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. If you want to emphasize the idea of going 'through' something from one side to the other, you might use através de or através dos. While 'pelos caminhos' is general, 'através dos caminhos' sounds more deliberate, as if overcoming an obstacle or moving through a medium. Another alternative is mediante, which is more formal and means 'by means of' or 'through'. This is often used in legal or technical contexts. For example, 'mediante os documentos apresentados' (through/by means of the documents presented). Understanding these synonyms helps you vary your vocabulary and sound more sophisticated.

Através dos

More focused on the physical act of passing through. 'Olhei através dos vidros'.

Mediante

Formal, indicating a condition or a means. 'Aprovado mediante os critérios'.

Another set of alternatives involves the preposition de. In some contexts, 'by' can be translated as 'de'. For example, 'de autoria dos' (authored by the) instead of 'pelos autores'. This is more specific and formal. Also, consider the feminine equivalent pelas. If your noun is feminine plural (like 'ruas', 'montanhas', 'pessoas'), you must use 'pelas'. This is the most direct 'alternative' in terms of grammatical agreement. Furthermore, the singular form pelo is used for masculine singular nouns. These aren't just alternatives; they are members of the same grammatical family. For expressing a reason, you might use devido aos (due to the). 'Estou triste pelos problemas' can be 'Estou triste devido aos problemas'. The latter is slightly more formal and emphasizes the causal link. In terms of frequency, 'pelos' remains the king of daily conversation because of its brevity and versatility.

In the context of 'by the' as an agent in a passive sentence, there aren't many common alternatives other than 'por parte dos' (on the part of the). For example, 'A decisão foi tomada pelos diretores' could be 'A decisão foi tomada por parte dos diretores'. This shift adds a layer of formality and slightly changes the focus to the entity rather than just the agents. In terms of spatial movement, ao longo dos (along the) is a great alternative when you want to describe movement that follows the length of something, like 'ao longo dos caminhos' (along the paths). This provides more descriptive precision than the simple 'pelos'. Also, entre os (among/between the) can sometimes replace 'pelos' if the movement is specifically happening between objects rather than just generally through them. For example, 'caminhar entre os carros' vs 'caminhar pelos carros'. The latter sounds like you are walking on or all over the cars, while 'entre' is more logical for a parking lot.

Por meio de

Standard way to say 'by means of'. Very common in professional emails.

Finally, always remember that 'pelos' is a contraction of 'por' + 'os'. If you are using a different article, like 'uns' (some), the contraction is por uns (it doesn't contract into a single word like 'pelos'). This is a key distinction. 'Pelos' is specific (the), while 'por uns' is indefinite (some). Understanding these subtle differences and alternatives allows you to move from a basic level of Portuguese to a more nuanced, expressive mastery of the language. Whether you choose 'pelos' for its efficiency or 'através dos' for its descriptive power, knowing the options makes you a better communicator. Practice switching between these alternatives in your writing to see how they change the tone and focus of your sentences. You'll find that while 'pelos' is the most common, the alternatives have their own unique places in the linguistic landscape.