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A2 preposition #2,000 よく出る 10分で読める

À frente de

In front of

上位2,000

At the A1 level, you learn 'à frente de' primarily as a way to describe where things are in space. It is one of the basic 'prepositions of place'. You use it to say that one object is in front of another. For example, 'O gato está à frente da cadeira' (The cat is in front of the chair). At this stage, the most important thing is to remember that 'de' changes when it meets 'o' or 'a'. You don't need to worry about the leadership or metaphorical meanings yet. Just focus on describing a room or a street. Think of it as the opposite of 'atrás de' (behind). If you are looking at a picture, the things closest to you are 'à frente de' the things in the background. It is a very useful phrase for simple directions and for identifying objects in your immediate environment. You might also hear it when someone is telling you where to stand in a line or where to put your bag. Remember the 'à' always has that little accent pointing to the left!

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'à frente de' for more than just physical objects. You might use it to give directions to someone: 'Vá até o banco e você verá a estátua à frente dele' (Go to the bank and you will see the statue in front of it). You also begin to see its use in simple leadership contexts, like 'Ele está à frente do grupo de estudos' (He is leading the study group). You should be comfortable with all the contractions (do, da, dos, das) and understand the difference between this and 'em frente a' (facing). A2 learners should be able to describe a sequence of people or things, such as who is ahead in a small race or who is first in a queue. It's about expanding your ability to describe relationships between people and things in a more dynamic way. You are moving beyond simple 'cat on a mat' sentences to describing actions and simple social roles.

At the B1 level, you should be using 'à frente de' with more confidence in abstract and professional contexts. This is where the 'leadership' meaning becomes very important. You might read news articles about a politician 'à frente de um partido' (at the head of a party) or a scientist 'à frente de uma pesquisa' (leading a research project). You also start to use it for temporal or developmental advantages, like saying a company is 'à frente de seus concorrentes' (ahead of its competitors). Your understanding of the grammar should be solid, including the use of the grave accent (crase). You might also start to notice the difference between 'à frente de' and 'diante de' in literature or more formal speech. B1 learners can use this phrase to express opinions about who is doing a good job leading something or to describe complex spatial arrangements in a narrative or a report.

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At the B2 level, 'à frente de' becomes a tool for nuanced expression. You can use it to describe visionary people who are 'à frente de seu tempo' (ahead of their time). You understand the subtle difference in register between 'à frente de' (standard/formal) and 'na frente de' (informal/Brazilian). You can use the phrase in complex sentences with various verb tenses and moods. For example, 'Se ele estivesse à frente do projeto, as coisas seriam diferentes' (If he were leading the project, things would be different). You also recognize its use in idiomatic expressions and can distinguish it from more formal prepositions like 'perante' or 'diante de'. At this stage, you are not just using the phrase to describe location, but to convey authority, progress, and sophisticated spatial relationships in both written and spoken Portuguese.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'à frente de' is completely natural and covers all its semantic ranges. You can use it in high-level academic or professional writing to describe organizational structures, historical movements, or philosophical concepts. You might analyze how a certain thinker was 'à frente de seu tempo' and how their ideas influenced future generations. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic qualities of the phrase in speech and can use it for emphasis. You understand the historical evolution of the phrase and how it relates to other Romance languages. In a C1 context, you might use 'à frente de' to describe not just physical or hierarchical position, but also a position of moral or intellectual leadership. Your ability to switch between 'à frente de', 'diante de', and 'em frente a' is precise, reflecting the exact nuance of the situation you are describing.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'à frente de'. You can use it with stylistic flair in creative writing or complex oratory. You understand the most subtle connotations, such as using the phrase to create a sense of urgency or to highlight a stark contrast in a narrative. You can discuss the linguistic nuances of the 'crase' in this phrase and its role in the overall structure of Portuguese prepositions. You are comfortable using it in any dialect of Portuguese, recognizing how its frequency and usage might shift between Lisbon, Luanda, and Rio de Janeiro. For a C2 learner, 'à frente de' is more than just a preposition; it's a versatile linguistic element that can be used to weave complex meanings regarding space, time, power, and vision. You can effortlessly integrate it into the most sophisticated discourse, whether you are debating politics, analyzing literature, or delivering a keynote speech.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

À frente de 30秒で

Used for physical location: 'in front of'.
Used for leadership: 'at the head of'.
Used for competition: 'ahead of'.
Requires a grave accent (à) and contractions (do/da).

The Portuguese prepositional phrase à frente de is a fundamental spatial and metaphorical marker in the language. At its core, it signifies a position that is further forward than something else, or a position of leadership and prominence. Unlike simple prepositions, this is a compound structure consisting of the feminine singular definite article merged with the preposition 'a' (forming the 'à' with a grave accent), the noun 'frente' (front), and the preposition 'de' (of). Understanding this phrase requires recognizing its three primary dimensions: physical space, temporal sequence, and hierarchical status. In a physical sense, it describes an object located in the area that a person or thing faces. For example, if a car is parked in the driveway and a tree is between the car and the street, the tree is à frente do carro. Metaphorically, it translates to being 'in charge of' or 'leading' a project, company, or movement. If someone is à frente de uma empresa, they are the CEO or the primary leader. Finally, in a competitive or temporal context, it indicates being 'ahead' of others, such as a runner being à frente dos outros competidores in a marathon.

Spatial Position: Refers to the physical location directly before or in the line of sight of an object or person.
Leadership: Indicates being the head of an organization, group, or initiative.
Advantage: Describes being in a superior position in a race, competition, or development process.

O capitão caminha à frente de seus soldados durante o desfile.

Historically, the word 'frente' derives from the Latin 'frons, frontis', meaning the forehead or the face. This anatomical origin is crucial because it reinforces the idea that 'à frente de' is inherently linked to the direction of gaze or the 'face' of an object. In Portuguese, this phrase is often contrasted with 'atrás de' (behind). It is also important to distinguish it from 'em frente a', which more specifically means 'facing' or 'opposite to'. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably in casual speech, 'à frente de' carries a stronger connotation of 'ahead' or 'leading'. For instance, in a queue, the person à frente de você is the one who will be served before you. In business, being à frente de seu tempo means being visionary or avant-garde, possessing ideas that have not yet become mainstream. This versatility makes it one of the most useful locative expressions for students reaching the A2 level, as it allows for the description of complex environments and social structures.

Ela está à frente de um novo projeto de sustentabilidade.

O jardim fica à frente de casa.

Using à frente de correctly involves mastering the contraction of the preposition 'de' with the articles or pronouns that follow it. This is a common stumbling block for English speakers, as English 'of' does not merge with 'the' or 'that'. In Portuguese, 'de + o' becomes 'do', 'de + a' becomes 'da', 'de + eles' becomes 'deles', and so on. Therefore, you will rarely see 'à frente de o carro'; instead, you must say à frente do carro. This grammatical requirement applies across all levels of formality. Furthermore, the phrase is fixed; you cannot change 'frente' to a plural form or change the gender of the article 'à' within the phrase itself. It functions as a single unit of meaning. When describing movement, it is often paired with verbs like 'ir', 'passar', or 'colocar'. For example, 'Ele passou à frente de todos' (He went ahead of everyone).

Contraction with Articles: de + o = do; de + a = da; de + os = dos; de + as = das.
Contraction with Pronouns: de + este = deste; de + aquele = daquele; de + ele = dele.

Another important aspect of usage is the distinction between 'à frente de' and 'em frente a'. While 'à frente de' emphasizes being 'ahead' or 'in the lead', 'em frente a' usually emphasizes 'facing' or 'opposite'. If you are standing em frente ao banco, you are looking at the bank's entrance from across the street. If you are à frente do banco, you might be right at the doorstep, or perhaps you are leading the bank's board of directors. In European Portuguese (PT-PT), 'à frente de' is extremely common for physical location, whereas in Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR), 'na frente de' is often used in informal speech. However, 'à frente de' remains the standard for formal writing and for expressing leadership in both variants. When using it to describe time or progress, it implies an advantage: 'Nossa tecnologia está à frente da concorrência' (Our technology is ahead of the competition).

Coloque os livros à frente de tudo na prateleira.

O diretor está à frente de grandes mudanças na escola.

You will encounter à frente de in a wide variety of daily and professional contexts. In the realm of navigation and directions, it is a staple. If you are following a GPS in Lisbon or São Paulo, you might hear instructions like 'Siga em frente' (Go straight) or 'O destino está à frente de você' (The destination is in front of you). In a more social setting, such as a restaurant or a cinema, people use it to describe where they are sitting or where they want others to go: 'Sente-se à frente de mim para eu te ver melhor' (Sit in front of me so I can see you better). It is also ubiquitous in sports commentary. During a football match, a commentator might say, 'O atacante está à frente da defesa' (The striker is ahead of the defense), or during a race, 'O corredor brasileiro está à frente dos outros' (The Brazilian runner is ahead of the others).

News & Business: Used to describe leaders of companies, political movements, or social initiatives.
Sports: Describes rankings, race positions, and tactical positioning on a field.
Everyday Directions: Giving instructions on where objects are located or where to walk.

In professional environments, particularly in news broadcasts and business reports, the phrase takes on its hierarchical meaning. You will hear phrases like 'O novo CEO está à frente de uma reestruturação global' (The new CEO is leading a global restructuring). This usage elevates the phrase from a simple spatial marker to a term of authority and responsibility. In historical documentaries, it is used to describe generals or monarchs: 'D. Afonso Henriques estava à frente de suas tropas' (D. Afonso Henriques was at the head of his troops). Even in literature and poetry, 'à frente de' can be used to describe someone who is visionary, as in 'um artista à frente de sua época' (an artist ahead of their time). This broad range of application—from the literal to the highly abstract—makes it a versatile tool for any Portuguese learner to master.

O ciclista está à frente de todo o pelotão.

Estamos à frente de um grande desafio este ano.

One of the most frequent errors made by learners (and even some native speakers in informal writing) is the omission of the grave accent on the 'à'. Writing 'a frente de' without the accent is technically incorrect because the phrase requires the contraction of the preposition 'a' with the feminine article 'a'. Without the accent, it looks like a simple article followed by a noun, which doesn't function as a prepositional phrase. Another common mistake is confusing à frente de with em frente a. While they are related, 'em frente a' is primarily used for 'facing' or 'opposite to' (e.g., 'moro em frente ao parque'), whereas 'à frente de' is for 'in front of' or 'ahead of' (e.g., 'o carro está à frente da garagem'). Using 'à frente de' when you mean 'facing' can sometimes lead to slight confusion about the exact orientation of objects.

The Missing Crase: Incorrect: 'a frente de'. Correct: 'à frente de'.
Confusion with 'Em frente a': 'Em frente a' implies facing; 'À frente de' implies being ahead or in front.
Forgetting Contractions: Incorrect: 'à frente de o'. Correct: 'à frente do'.

Learners also often forget to contract the 'de' with the following article. Saying 'à frente de a casa' sounds very unnatural; it must be 'à frente da casa'. This is a rhythmic and phonetic rule in Portuguese that is non-negotiable. Additionally, some students confuse 'à frente de' with 'antes de' (before). While 'à frente de' can mean 'ahead' in a sequence, 'antes de' is strictly temporal or sequential in a way that doesn't imply physical 'frontness'. For example, you arrive 'antes de' someone, but you stand 'à frente de' someone in a line. Finally, be careful with the phrase 'na frente de'. While very common in Brazil, it is considered more informal than 'à frente de'. In a formal essay or a business presentation, 'à frente de' is the preferred choice to maintain a professional register.

Erro comum: Ele está a frente de o grupo. (Correto: à frente do grupo)

Cuidado: 'À frente de' não é o mesmo que 'atrás de' (behind).

Portuguese has several ways to describe being in front of something, each with its own nuance. The most common synonym is diante de. While 'à frente de' is very common for physical position and leadership, 'diante de' often carries a more formal or even dramatic tone. It is frequently used when facing a situation, a problem, or a person of authority. For example, 'Ele gaguejou diante do juiz' (He stuttered before the judge). Another similar phrase is em frente a. As mentioned previously, this is specifically for 'facing'. If two buildings are on opposite sides of the street, they are 'em frente um ao outro'. In Brazil, you will very often hear na frente de, which is the informal equivalent of 'à frente de' for physical locations.

Diante de: More formal; often used for abstract situations or facing authority.
Em frente a: Specifically means 'facing' or 'opposite'.
Na frente de: Informal Brazilian version of 'à frente de'.

For temporal or sequential 'frontness', you might use antes de (before). While 'à frente de' implies being ahead in space or rank, 'antes de' focuses on the order of events. In a queue, the person 'à frente de você' is also 'antes de você' in terms of time, but you wouldn't use 'à frente de' to say 'before lunch' (antes do almoço). Another related term is perante, which is a very formal preposition meaning 'in the presence of' or 'before' (legal/official). 'Perante a lei' (Before the law) is a standard legal phrase. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right word for the right level of formality and the specific type of 'front' you are describing. Whether it's physical, metaphorical, or legal, Portuguese has a precise term for it.

O réu estava diante de uma escolha difícil.

A loja fica em frente ao cinema.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

カジュアル

難易度

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レベル別の例文

O carro está à frente da casa.

The car is in front of the house.

Note the contraction 'da' (de + a).

Eu estou à frente de você na fila.

I am in front of you in the line.

'À frente de' indicates position in a sequence.

O gato dorme à frente da lareira.

The cat sleeps in front of the fireplace.

Physical location.

A árvore fica à frente da janela.

The tree is in front of the window.

Spatial relationship.

Coloque a cadeira à frente da mesa.

Put the chair in front of the table.

Imperative verb + prepositional phrase.

O professor está à frente da classe.

The teacher is in front of the class.

Position in a room.

Meu irmão corre à frente de mim.

My brother runs in front of me.

Movement and position.

O jardim está à frente do prédio.

The garden is in front of the building.

Contraction 'do' (de + o).

O banco fica logo à frente do supermercado.

The bank is just in front of the supermarket.

Using 'logo' to emphasize proximity.

Ela está à frente do pequeno grupo de turistas.

She is at the head of the small group of tourists.

Leadership/guiding role.

Siga sempre à frente de você.

Always follow (what is) in front of you.

Giving directions.

O ciclista azul está à frente do ciclista vermelho.

The blue cyclist is ahead of the red cyclist.

Competitive position.

À frente da loja, há uma estátua.

In front of the store, there is a statue.

Sentence starting with the prepositional phrase.

Quem está à frente deste projeto?

Who is leading this project?

Interrogative sentence about leadership.

O ônibus parou à frente da escola.

The bus stopped in front of the school.

Past tense 'parou'.

Eles caminham à frente de nós.

They walk ahead of us.

Plural pronouns.

O diretor está à frente da empresa há dez anos.

The director has been leading the company for ten years.

Leadership over time.

Nossa equipe está à frente da concorrência este mês.

Our team is ahead of the competition this month.

Abstract advantage.

Ela sempre se coloca à frente das necessidades dos outros.

She always puts herself ahead of others' needs.

Metaphorical priority.

O capitão marchava à frente de suas tropas.

The captain marched at the head of his troops.

Historical/Formal context.

À frente de toda grande descoberta, há muita pesquisa.

Ahead of every great discovery, there is much research.

Abstract sequence.

O carro de bombeiros seguia à frente da ambulância.

The fire truck followed ahead of the ambulance.

Sequential movement.

Ele foi escolhido para estar à frente do comitê.

He was chosen to lead the committee.

Passive voice + leadership.

A tecnologia deles está anos à frente da nossa.

Their technology is years ahead of ours.

Temporal advantage.

Um artista visionário está sempre à frente de seu tempo.

A visionary artist is always ahead of their time.

Idiomatic expression 'à frente de seu tempo'.

O país está à frente de importantes reformas sociais.

The country is leading important social reforms.

Political/Social leadership.

À frente de uma crise, o líder deve manter a calma.

In the face of a crisis, the leader must stay calm.

Abstract 'front' (similar to 'facing').

A empresa colocou-se à frente do mercado com o novo produto.

The company placed itself at the head of the market with the new product.

Reflexive verb 'colocar-se'.

Ele sempre quis estar à frente de grandes movimentos culturais.

He always wanted to be at the forefront of major cultural movements.

Cultural leadership.

À frente daquela decisão, havia muitos interesses políticos.

Behind (at the front of/leading to) that decision, there were many political interests.

Causal/Sequential 'front'.

O navio navegava à frente de uma tempestade iminente.

The ship sailed ahead of an imminent storm.

Spatial/Temporal warning.

Ela assumiu o cargo e agora está à frente de mil funcionários.

She took the position and is now leading a thousand employees.

Direct leadership of people.

A instituição posicionou-se à frente da luta pelos direitos civis.

The institution positioned itself at the forefront of the fight for civil rights.

Sophisticated abstract leadership.

O filósofo estava décadas à frente de seus contemporâneos.

The philosopher was decades ahead of his contemporaries.

Intellectual advantage.

À frente de tamanha adversidade, eles não recuaram.

In the face of such adversity, they did not back down.

Formal usage similar to 'diante de'.

A pesquisa coloca o Brasil à frente de outros países em desenvolvimento.

The research puts Brazil ahead of other developing countries.

Comparative ranking.

Estar à frente de uma orquestra exige precisão absoluta.

Being at the head of an orchestra requires absolute precision.

Artistic leadership.

O governo está à frente de uma iniciativa de descarbonização.

The government is leading a decarbonization initiative.

Policy leadership.

À frente de cada capítulo, o autor incluiu uma citação.

At the beginning (front) of each chapter, the author included a quote.

Structural position in a text.

Ele sempre se sentiu à frente de sua geração em termos de maturidade.

He always felt ahead of his generation in terms of maturity.

Personal/Internal comparison.

A vanguarda literária situava-se à frente das convenções da época.

The literary avant-garde stood ahead of the conventions of the time.

Academic/Literary analysis.

À frente de um paradigma em colapso, novas ideias emergem.

At the forefront of a collapsing paradigm, new ideas emerge.

Philosophical/Theoretical context.

Sua gestão à frente do banco central foi marcada pela austeridade.

His management at the head of the central bank was marked by austerity.

High-level administrative leadership.

O pensamento dele está luzes à frente do debate atual.

His thinking is light-years ahead of the current debate.

Metaphorical distance.

À frente de toda a pompa e circunstância, residia uma verdade simples.

Behind (at the front of/leading) all the pomp and circumstance, lay a simple truth.

Literary/Rhetorical device.

A empresa manteve-se à frente de seu setor por meio da inovação disruptiva.

The company stayed ahead of its sector through disruptive innovation.

Business strategy terminology.

Estar à frente de si mesmo é o primeiro passo para a evolução.

Being ahead of oneself is the first step toward evolution.

Existential/Philosophical usage.

À frente de uma multidão enfurecida, o orador manteve sua postura.

In front of an infuriated crowd, the speaker maintained his stance.

Dramatic narrative usage.

よく使う組み合わせ

estar à frente

passar à frente

ficar à frente

colocar à frente

ir à frente

à frente do tempo

à frente da empresa

à frente do grupo

à frente da fila

à frente da corrida

よく使うフレーズ

à frente de tudo

à frente de todos

estar à frente de seu tempo

seguir à frente

olhar para à frente

à frente da lei

à frente do projeto

à frente da nação

à frente do mercado

à frente da batalha

よく混同される語

À frente de vs em frente a

Means 'facing' or 'opposite', while 'à frente de' means 'ahead' or 'in front'.

À frente de vs antes de

Means 'before' in time or sequence, not necessarily physical frontness.

À frente de vs diante de

More formal and often used for abstract 'facing' of situations.

慣用句と表現

間違えやすい

À frente de vs

文型パターン

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使い方

regional

In Brazil, 'na frente de' is more common for physical location; 'à frente de' is for leadership.

formality

'À frente de' is the standard formal choice.

よくある間違い

Missing the grave accent (crase).
Failure to contract 'de' and 'o'.
Failure to contract 'de' and 'a'.
Mixing up the two different locutions.
Using the wrong connecting preposition.

ヒント

Crase is Key

Never forget the grave accent on the 'à'. It's a hallmark of correct Portuguese writing.

Business Leadership

Use 'à frente de' when talking about CEOs or project managers to sound professional.

Synonym Choice

Use 'diante de' if you want to sound more formal or dramatic.

Spatial Awareness

Think of it as the 'forward' position relative to the object's face.

Merge the 'de'

Always merge 'de' with the following article: do, da, dos, das.

Facing vs. Ahead

Remember: 'Em frente a' is facing; 'À frente de' is ahead.

Visionary

Use 'à frente de seu tempo' to describe someone very innovative.

GPS Cues

Listen for this phrase when using a navigation app in Portuguese.

Formal Essays

In essays, prefer 'à frente de' over 'na frente de'.

Queues

Use it to ask who is in front of you: 'Quem está à frente de mim?'

暗記しよう

語源

From Latin 'frons, frontis' (forehead, brow, front).

文化的な背景

The expression 'à frente de seu tempo' is a high compliment for artists and thinkers.

Portuguese culture values strong leadership in family and business, often described using this phrase.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

会話のきっかけ

"Quem está à frente do seu departamento no trabalho?"

"O que tem à frente da sua casa?"

"Você prefere sentar à frente ou atrás no cinema?"

"Qual empresa você acha que está à frente do seu tempo?"

"Quem está à frente na corrida pelo título este ano?"

日記のテーマ

Descreva o que você vê à frente da sua janela agora.

Escreva sobre um líder que você admira e que esteve à frente de grandes mudanças.

Você se considera uma pessoa à frente do seu tempo? Por quê?

Descreva a posição dos móveis no seu quarto usando 'à frente de'.

Imagine que você está à frente de um grande projeto. O que você faria?

よくある質問

10 問

Yes, when used as a prepositional phrase meaning 'in front of', the 'à' always takes the grave accent (crase) because it is a contraction of the preposition 'a' and the article 'a'.

'À frente de' is more formal and standard. 'Na frente de' is very common in informal Brazilian Portuguese. Both mean 'in front of' physically, but 'à frente de' is preferred for leadership.

Yes, metaphorically. You can say someone is 'à frente de seu tempo' (ahead of their time) or that a company is 'à frente da concorrência' (ahead of the competition).

Not exactly. 'Em frente a' is better for 'facing'. 'À frente de' usually means being further forward in the same direction or leading.

You must contract 'de' with 'os', so it becomes 'à frente dos carros'.

Yes, that is correct and very common to describe someone ahead of you in a line or race.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though frequency and formality levels might vary slightly.

The most direct opposite is 'atrás de' (behind).

Sometimes, in a structural sense, like 'à frente do livro' (at the front of the book), but 'no início' is more common for time.

It is a prepositional locution, which means it's a group of words that functions as a single preposition.

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