A2 · Elementary Chapter 2

Essential Irregular Verbs

4 Total Rules
44 examples
7 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the four essential irregular verbs that form the backbone of everyday Portuguese conversation and movement.

  • Conjugate 'vir', 'trazer', 'dizer', and 'pôr' in the present tense.
  • Distinguish between coming (vir) and bringing (trazer) in social contexts.
  • Use 'pôr' and its common derivatives like 'propor' or 'compor'.
Stop translating, start flowing with Portuguese's most powerful verbs.

What You'll Learn

Ready to take your Portuguese beyond the basics? You've already built a fantastic foundation, and now it's time to dive into some of the most frequently used — and most crucial — irregular verbs that will make your conversations truly flow. Don't worry, they're not as scary as they sound; we'll break them down together! In this exciting chapter, you'll master four powerhouse verbs: 'vir' (to come), 'trazer' (to bring), 'dizer' (to say/tell), and 'pôr' (to put). Imagine confidently telling a friend, 'My friend is coming over' (vir), without a second thought, or offering, 'I'll bring that for you' (trazer) with ease. You'll learn the unique conjugations of 'dizer' so you can clearly express your thoughts, like 'I say that...' And get ready for 'pôr'! This versatile verb, along with its many derivatives, will unlock a whole new level of expressing actions like placing and setting. These aren't just any verbs; they're the backbone of daily communication. Whether you're making plans, asking for something, sharing an opinion, or describing where something is, these verbs are essential. Mastering them means you'll stop translating in your head and start speaking more naturally and spontaneously. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently talk about who's coming, what you're bringing, what you want to say, and how to put things in their place. Get ready to boost your Portuguese fluency and express yourself like a true local!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to invite someone over using the correct form of 'vir'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to describe what you are bringing to a party using 'trazer'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to report what someone else is saying using 'dizer'.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to organize a space by using 'pôr' to describe placing items.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to an exciting step in your Portuguese grammar A2 journey! You've successfully navigated the basics, and now it's time to supercharge your communication skills by tackling some of the most essential — and frequently used — irregular verbs. Don't let the word "irregular" intimidate you; these verbs are incredibly common, meaning that mastering them will unlock a significant leap in your ability to speak naturally and confidently. This chapter is designed to make these seemingly tricky verbs approachable and easy to understand.
We're focusing on four powerhouse verbs: vir (to come), trazer (to bring), dizer (to say/tell), and pôr (to put). These aren't just random verbs; they are the bedrock of daily conversations. Think about how often you talk about people coming over, bringing something, saying what you think, or putting things in their place. By learning their unique conjugations and common uses, you'll stop translating in your head and start expressing yourself with the fluidity of a native speaker.
This guide is perfect for A2 Portuguese learners looking to solidify their foundation and expand their conversational repertoire. By the end, you'll be able to confidently use these irregular verbs Portuguese in various contexts, making your Portuguese sound much more authentic and expressive. Get ready to boost your fluency and confidently navigate everyday interactions!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the fascinating world of these essential irregular verbs, breaking down their conjugations and common uses. Understanding these patterns is key to mastering Portuguese conjugation and speaking more naturally.
Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR
The verb vir means "to come." It's irregular, especially in the present tense. It's crucial to distinguish it from ir (to go). You *come* towards the speaker, and you *go* away from the speaker.
* Eu venho (I come)
* Tu vens (You come - informal)
* Ele/Ela/Você vem (He/She/You come - formal)
* Nós vimos (We come)
* Vós vindes (You all come - formal/plural, rarely used in Brazil)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês vêm (They/You all come - formal/plural)
* Example: Eu venho de Portugal. (I come from Portugal.)
* Example: Vocês vêm à festa? (Are you all coming to the party?)
The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
Trazer means "to bring" and is irregular, particularly in its "eu" form. It's used when something is being moved towards the speaker or a designated location.
* Eu trago (I bring)
* Tu trazes (You bring)
* Ele/Ela/Você traz (He/She/You bring)
* Nós trazemos (We bring)
* Vós trazeis (You all bring)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês trazem (They/You all bring)
* Example: Eu trago os livros amanhã. (I'll bring the books tomorrow.)
* Example: Ele traz o bolo para a festa. (He brings the cake for the party.)
Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
The verb dizer means "to say" or "to tell" and is highly irregular, especially in the first person singular. It's fundamental for expressing thoughts and relaying information.
* Eu digo (I say/tell)
* Tu dizes (You say/tell)
* Ele/Ela/Você diz (He/She/You say/tell)
* Nós dizemos (We say/tell)
* Vós dizeis (You all say/tell)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês dizem (They/You all say/tell)
* Example: Eu digo a verdade. (I tell the truth.)
* Example: O que você diz sobre isso? (What do you say about that?)
The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives
Pôr means "to put" or "to place" and is one of the most irregular verbs in Portuguese, even having an "–or" ending instead of the typical -ar, -er, -ir. Its derivatives (like compor - to compose, dispor - to dispose, propor - to propose) follow similar irregular patterns.
* Eu ponho (I put)
* Tu pões (You put)
* Ele/Ela/Você põe (He/She/You put)
* Nós pomos (We put)
* Vós pondes (You all put)
* Eles/Elas/Vocês põem (They/You all put)
* Example: Eu ponho a mesa para o jantar. (I set the table for dinner.)
* Example: Ele propõe uma nova ideia. (He proposes a new idea.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu vou para a sua casa." (meaning "I'm coming to your house")
✓ Correct: "Eu venho à sua casa." (I'm coming to your house.)
*Explanation:* Vir (to come) is used when the direction of movement is towards the speaker or the place where the speaker is or will be. Ir (to go) implies movement away from the speaker. In English, we often use "go" for this, but in Portuguese, vir is correct when you're moving towards the listener's location.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu trago a verdade." (meaning "I say the truth")
✓ Correct: "Eu digo a verdade." (I tell the truth.)
*Explanation:* Trazer means "to bring" a physical object or concept, while dizer means "to say" or "to tell" words or information. Confusing the two can lead to nonsensical sentences.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu pôr o livro na mesa."
✓ Correct: "Eu ponho o livro na mesa." (I put the book on the table.)
*Explanation:* The infinitive form pôr is not used as a conjugated verb in the present tense. The correct first-person singular present tense conjugation is ponho. This is a very common error due to the highly irregular nature of this verb.

Real Conversations

A

A

Oi, Maria! Você vem para a minha festa amanhã? (Hi, Maria! Are you coming to my party tomorrow?)
B

B

Claro! Eu trago umas bebidas. (Of course! I'll bring some drinks.)
A

A

O que você diz sobre o novo filme? (What do you say about the new movie?)
B

B

Eu digo que é muito bom, mas um pouco longo. (I say it's very good, but a bit long.)
A

A

Onde eu ponho as chaves, por favor? (Where do I put the keys, please?)
B

B

Você pode pôr na mesinha da entrada. (You can put them on the small table by the entrance.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Why are "vir" and "ir" so often confused by A2 Portuguese learners?

They are confused because English often uses "go" in situations where Portuguese requires "vir" (to come), especially when the destination is the listener's location. Understanding the direction relative to the speaker is key.

Q

What's the main difference between dizer and falar in Portuguese?

Dizer means "to say" or "to tell" (what was said), often implying content or specific words. Falar means "to speak" or "to talk," focusing on the act of speaking or communication in general.

Q

Are there other common derivatives of pôr that I should know?

Yes, many! Some common ones include compor (to compose), depor (to depose), expor (to expose), impor (to impose), propor (to propose), and supor (to suppose). Their conjugations often follow a similar irregular pattern to pôr.

Cultural Context

These irregular verbs Portuguese are deeply embedded in daily interactions. Vir and trazer are essential for social invitations and offers, reflecting the warmth and hospitality common in Portuguese-speaking cultures. Dizer is foundational for expressing opinions, sharing news, and storytelling, which are central to social bonding. Pôr is incredibly versatile, used not just for physically placing objects but also in many idiomatic expressions, like pôr a mesa (to set the table) or pôr um fim (to put an end to). Mastering them allows you to participate more authentically in everyday conversations and understand subtle nuances in communication.

Key Examples (8)

1

A que horas vens cá a casa?

What time are you coming over to the house?

Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR
2

Eles vêm de carro ou de metro?

Are they coming by car or subway?

Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR
3

Eu trago o café para você.

I'm bringing the coffee for you.

The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
4

Você traz o carregador?

Are you bringing the charger?

The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
5

Eu digo sempre a verdade no WhatsApp.

I always tell the truth on WhatsApp.

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
6

Como se diz 'password' em português?

How do you say 'password' in Portuguese?

Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
7

Eu ponho o café na mesa toda manhã.

I put the coffee on the table every morning.

The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives
8

Ela põe muita foto de comida no Insta.

She puts (posts) a lot of food photos on Insta.

The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Tips & Tricks (4)

⚠️

False Friend Alert: Vimos

Remember: 'Nós vimos' can mean 'We come' (Present) OR 'We saw' (Past of Ver). Look for context clues like 'hoje' (today) vs 'ontem' (yesterday).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR
💡

Check the direction

Always ask: is it moving toward me? If yes, use 'trazer'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)
💡

Focus on Digo

The 'eu' form is the most irregular. Memorize it first.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)
💡

The Derivative Trick

If you know how to conjugate 'pôr', you automatically know how to conjugate 'compor', 'dispor', 'propor', and 'supor'. Just add the prefix!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Key Vocabulary (6)

cá / aqui here a verdade the truth a mesa the table cedo early presente gift / present sempre always

Real-World Preview

home

Inviting a friend over

utensils

Setting the scene

Review Summary

  • Eu venho, Você vem, Nós vimos, Eles vêm
  • Eu trago, Você traz, Nós trazemos, Eles trazem
  • Eu digo, Você diz, Nós dizemos, Eles dizem
  • Eu ponho, Você põe, Nós pomos, Eles põem

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'vir' (to come) with 'ver' (to see). 'Vejo' means 'I see', while 'Venho' means 'I come'.

Wrong: Eu vejo aqui amanhã.
Correct: Eu venho aqui amanhã.

Using 'trazer' (bring) instead of 'levar' (take). Use 'trazer' only if the object is coming toward the speaker's current location.

Wrong: Eu trago o livro para a escola.
Correct: Eu levo o livro para a escola.

Using the infinitive 'por' (or the preposition 'por') instead of the conjugated form 'ponho'. Remember the 'nh' in the first person!

Wrong: Eu por o livro na mesa.
Correct: Eu ponho o livro na mesa.

Next Steps

You've just tackled some of the trickiest verbs in the language. With these under your belt, your Portuguese is becoming much more dynamic and natural. Keep practicing these forms—they are the keys to the city!

Write 5 sentences about what you 'say' and 'bring' to your Portuguese class.

Record yourself saying the conjugations of 'pôr' to practice the nasal 'õe' sound.

Continue to: Direction, Purpose & Deadlines

Quick Practice (10)

Correct the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ele trazem o presente.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele traz o presente.
Agreement error.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)

Conjugate 'pôr' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ponho
The first person singular is 'ponho'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Fix the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu dizo a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu digo a verdade
Dizo is incorrect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying Things: The Verb Dizer (To Say/Tell)

Conjugate 'propor' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ uma ideia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: proponho
Follows the 'ponho' pattern.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu ir para casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu vou para casa.
Conjugation error.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR

Select the correct plural form.

Eles ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vêm
Plural requires circumflex.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR

Which is the verb?

Choose the verb.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pôr
Pôr is the infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ele poe o copo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe o copo.
Needs the tilde.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu trago o livro.
Subject-verb agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb Trazer: Bringing Things to You (trazer)

Fill in the blank.

Eu ___ ao cinema hoje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vou
Movement away from speaker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coming vs Going: The Verb VIR

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Use 'vir' for movement toward the speaker and 'ir' for movement away.
Yes, 'ir' + infinitive is the most common way to express future plans.
No, it is irregular in the 'eu' form ('trago').
Use 'trazer' for movement toward you, and 'levar' for movement away from you.
No, it is irregular in the present tense.
You say 'Eu digo'.
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