When used as a conjunction, mas introduces a contrast or an exception to a previous statement. It's very similar to "but" in English.
For example, you might say "Eu quero ir à praia, mas está chovendo" (I want to go to the beach, but it's raining).
It can also be used to soften a statement or to add an afterthought, much like "however" or "yet."
Understanding mas at an A1 level means recognizing its role in creating simple contrasting ideas.
ज़रूरी व्याकरण
Use 'mas' to introduce a contrast or an exception to a previous statement. It is similar to 'but' in English.
Eu gosto de café, mas não com açúcar. (I like coffee, but not with sugar.)
'Mas' can connect two independent clauses, showing an opposition between them.
Ela queria ir, mas estava muito cansada. (She wanted to go, but she was very tired.)
When 'mas' is used at the beginning of a sentence, it often acts as a transition, introducing a counter-argument or a change of topic.
Mas, por outro lado, também é uma boa ideia. (But, on the other hand, it's also a good idea.)
Avoid using 'mas' with 'porém' or 'contudo' in the same sentence, as they are all conjunctions with similar meanings and it creates redundancy.
Não diga: 'Eu gosto de frutas, mas porém não de maçãs.' Diga: 'Eu gosto de frutas, mas não de maçãs.' (Don't say: 'I like fruits, but however not apples.' Say: 'I like fruits, but not apples.')
'Mas' can also be used to emphasize a previous statement, especially in informal speech.
Ela é muito inteligente, mas muito mesmo! (She is very intelligent, but really very much so!)
खुद को परखो 24 सवाल
Eu gosto de café, ___ não gosto de chá.
The word 'mas' means 'but' and is used to introduce a contrasting idea. Here, it contrasts liking coffee with not liking tea.
Ela quer ir à praia, ___ está chovendo.
'Mas' (but) shows a contrast between wanting to go to the beach and the fact that it is raining.
Ele é meu amigo, ___ ele não mora perto.
Here, 'mas' indicates a contrast: he is a friend, but he lives far away.
A frase 'Eu falo inglês, mas não falo português' está correta.
This sentence correctly uses 'mas' to connect two contrasting statements: 'I speak English' and 'I don't speak Portuguese'.
Em 'Eu gosto de bolo, mas não de sorvete', 'mas' indica que você gosta de ambas as coisas.
The word 'mas' (but) indicates a contrast, meaning you like cake but *not* ice cream.
A palavra 'mas' pode ser usada para adicionar uma ideia similar.
'Mas' is used to introduce a contrasting idea, not a similar one.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 'Ela queria ir à festa, ___ estava doente.'
The sentence expresses a contrast between wanting to go to the party and being sick, so 'mas' (but) is the correct choice.
Which word correctly fills the gap in: 'Ele estudou muito, ___ não passou no exame.'
There's a contradiction between studying a lot and not passing the exam, making 'mas' (but) the appropriate conjunction.
Select the correct option: 'Eu adoraria ajudar, ___ tenho outro compromisso.'
The first part of the sentence expresses willingness, while the second part presents an obstacle, so 'mas' (but) is needed to show the contrast.
The sentence 'Ele é rico, mas é feliz.' implies that being rich typically leads to unhappiness.
The sentence implies that despite being rich, he is happy. The 'mas' introduces a contrast where one might assume wealth doesn't guarantee happiness, but it doesn't state that richness typically leads to unhappiness.
'Mas' can sometimes be used to introduce a slightly surprising or unexpected piece of information, not just a direct contradiction.
While 'mas' often indicates contradiction, it can also introduce an unexpected turn or a mild contrast, like 'Ele é jovem, mas muito experiente.'
In the sentence 'Eu quero ir, mas não posso.', 'mas' could be replaced by 'e' without changing the meaning.
Replacing 'mas' (but) with 'e' (and) would change the meaning significantly, as 'e' would simply connect two ideas without implying contrast or contradiction, which 'mas' clearly does.
Listen for the reason for the change.
What is the speaker's concern?
How does she feel despite her effort?
Read this aloud:
Eu adoraria ajudar, mas o meu tempo é limitado esta semana.
Focus: lim-i-TA-du
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
O projeto é ambicioso, mas acredito que podemos ter sucesso.
Focus: am-bi-CI-o-su
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
A viagem foi longa, mas valeu a pena pela vista.
Focus: va-LEU a PE-na
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence structure is common when contrasting a large quantity of something with a lack of quality or relevance.
Here, 'mas' introduces a contrasting reason or obstacle to the initial desire.
This sentence uses 'mas' to express a contrast between effort and outcome, with 'mesmo assim' reinforcing the unexpected result.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
उदाहरण
Ele é inteligente, mas preguiçoso.
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संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
a cerca de
B1About; approximately.
à direita
A2To the right side.
à esquerda
A2To the left side.
a fim de
A2in order to
à frente
A2In front of.
a frente
A2At or toward the front.
À frente de
A2In front of
a tempo
A2on time, punctually
à volta de
A2Around.
abaixo
A1At a lower level or layer than; below.
