nesse

The word nesse is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the Portuguese language, specifically serving as a contraction of the preposition em (meaning in, on, or at) and the demonstrative pronoun esse (meaning that). In Portuguese, prepositions frequently merge with the words that follow them to create smoother phonetic transitions, a process known as crasis or contraction. When you want to say 'in that' or 'on that' referring to a masculine singular noun that is relatively close to the person you are speaking to, or something that was just mentioned in conversation, nesse is your go-to term.

Spatial Relation

Portuguese uses a three-tier demonstrative system. Neste is for things near the speaker (here), nesse is for things near the listener (there), and naquele is for things far from both (over there). Therefore, nesse specifically targets the listener's immediate environment or context.

Beyond physical space, nesse is heavily used in temporal contexts. It refers to a point in time that has already been established in the discourse. For example, if you are talking about the year 2010, you would say 'nesse ano' to mean 'in that year.' This avoids repetition and maintains the flow of the narrative. It functions as an anaphoric reference, pointing back to a previously mentioned concept or time frame, making it indispensable for storytelling and academic writing alike.

Abstract Use

In abstract discussions, nesse often translates to 'in that sense' or 'in that regard' (nesse sentido). It helps link logical arguments by situating the current thought within the framework of the previous one.

In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, the distinction between neste and nesse has blurred significantly. Most speakers use nesse for both 'this' and 'that' in casual conversation. However, for the CEFR B1 level and beyond, understanding the specific 'near the listener' or 'previously mentioned' nuance is crucial for correct writing and formal speech. You will encounter this word in newspapers, podcasts, novels, and daily errands, making it one of the top 100 most frequent words in the language.

Social Context

Using nesse creates a shared space between the speaker and listener. By referring to something 'in that' (near you), you are acknowledging the listener's perspective or immediate surroundings.

Using nesse correctly requires an understanding of both the prepositional requirements of Portuguese verbs and the gender of the noun being modified. Since nesse is a masculine singular contraction, it must always precede a masculine singular noun. If you are dealing with a plural noun, you must use nesses. If the noun is feminine, you switch to nessa or nessas. The versatility of nesse comes from the preposition em, which covers location (in), surface (on), and specific instances (at/during).

Verb Government (Regência)

Many Portuguese verbs require the preposition em. For instance, acreditar em (to believe in), pensar em (to think about), and morar em (to live in). When these verbs are followed by the demonstrative esse, they must contract into nesse.

In terms of sentence structure, nesse usually appears in the predicate of the sentence as part of an adverbial phrase of place or time, or as an indirect object. It can also be used to refer to a whole idea or situation previously mentioned, acting as a pronoun substitute for em + isso (though nisso is the more common form for general 'that' things). When referring to a specific masculine noun mentioned earlier, nesse provides clear cohesion. For example: 'O livro é bom. Nesse livro, o autor explica tudo.' (The book is good. In that book, the author explains everything.)

Temporal Markers

When describing history or past events already introduced, nesse is the standard choice. Phrases like nesse momento (at that moment) or nesse período (in that period) are essential for narrative structure.

Another common usage is with the word caso (case). Nesse caso translates to 'in that case' and is used as a logical connector to show the consequence of a condition. It is a very frequent transition phrase in both spoken and written Portuguese, helping to navigate hypothetical scenarios or conclusions based on provided information.

Common Verb Pairings

Verbs like votar (to vote), confiar (to trust), mexer (to touch/move), and intervir (to intervene) frequently take em, making nesse a frequent partner when referring to specific masculine candidates, objects, or situations.

You will hear nesse everywhere in the Lusophone world, from the busy streets of São Paulo to the historic cafes of Lisbon. However, its usage varies slightly by register and region. In Brazil, the word nesse has largely swallowed the role of neste (in this). If a Brazilian is holding a phone, they might say 'tem muita coisa nesse celular' even though the phone is in their hand. In Portugal, the distinction is usually more strictly maintained: neste for things here, nesse for things there.

Daily Life

In a grocery store, a clerk might point to a specific shelf and say, 'O sal está nesse corredor' (The salt is in that aisle). In a taxi, you might tell the driver, 'Vire nesse próximo cruzamento' (Turn at that next intersection).

In the media, nesse is a staple of news reporting. Journalists use it to refer back to the context of a story. For example, 'A polícia investiga o crime. Nesse cenário, novas provas surgiram.' (The police are investigating the crime. In that scenario, new evidence has emerged.) It serves as a linguistic bridge that keeps the audience oriented within the narrative flow. You will also hear it in sports commentary: 'O jogador chutou a bola nesse ângulo' (The player kicked the ball at that angle).

Social media and texting are also full of nesse. It is often used in responses to emphasize a point. If someone posts a photo of a beautiful sunset, you might comment: 'Eu queria estar nesse lugar agora!' (I wish I were in that place right now!). It shows that you are focused on the specific context provided by the other person. In business meetings, it is used to pivot between topics: 'Falamos sobre o orçamento. Nesse contexto, vamos discutir os gastos.' (We talked about the budget. In that context, let's discuss spending.)

Music and Lyrics

Bossa Nova and MPB lyrics often use nesse to create a sense of intimacy or nostalgia. 'Nesse meu mundo' (In this/that world of mine) is a common poetic trope.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers is the gender and number agreement required by nesse. Since English just uses 'in that' for everything, learners often default to nesse regardless of the noun. However, saying 'nesse mesa' is a glaring error because 'mesa' (table) is feminine. You must say nessa mesa. Similarly, for plural nouns like 'livros', you must use nesses livros. Consistency in agreement is the hallmark of reaching a B1 level.

Confusing Distance

The distinction between nesse (that, near listener) and naquele (that, far from both) is often difficult. If you are pointing to a mountain in the distance, you should use naquele. If you use nesse, the listener might look at something right next to them instead.

Another common mistake is forgetting the contraction entirely. English speakers sometimes try to say 'em esse', which sounds very unnatural and 'robotic' to native ears. Portuguese is a language that loves to flow, and contractions like nesse are mandatory in both speech and writing. There is no stylistic reason to separate them unless you are writing archaic poetry.

Misusing 'Nisso' vs. 'Nesse'

Nisso is the neutral contraction (em + isso) and is used for abstract ideas or things without a specific name. Nesse MUST be followed by a masculine noun or refer back to one. Don't say 'Eu acredito nesse' without a noun; say 'Eu acredito nisso'.

Finally, beware of regional variations. While using nesse for 'this' is common in Brazil, doing so in a formal exam in Portugal might lose you points. If the object is in your own hand, use neste to be safe and precise.

To master nesse, you must understand its neighbors in the demonstrative family. The primary alternatives are neste and naquele. These words all translate to 'in this' or 'in that,' but they differ based on the 'proximity' of the object to the speaker and the listener.

Neste (Em + Este)

Meaning 'in this,' neste refers to things close to the speaker or the current time/place. Example: 'Neste momento' (at this moment, right now).

Naquele (Em + Aquele)

Meaning 'in that (over there),' naquele refers to things far from both the speaker and the listener, or a distant past. Example: 'Naquele tempo' (in those days/long ago).

When you are dealing with abstract concepts or 'things' rather than specific nouns, you use the neutral forms. Nisso (in that thing/matter) is the neutral counterpart to nesse. If you are referring to a situation rather than a specific masculine noun, nisso is the correct choice. For example: 'Não pense nisso' (Don't think about that [thing/situation]).

Another alternative for 'in that' is using the preposition em followed by a definite article and the word tal. For example, 'no tal' (in such a/that certain). This is more specific and often implies a bit of skepticism or refers to something previously discussed with a specific label. However, nesse remains the most versatile and common choice for 90% of situations.

Plural and Feminine Forms

Always remember the variations: nessa (fem. sing.), nesses (masc. plur.), nessas (fem. plur.). They all follow the same spatial/contextual rules as nesse.