The Verb 'Dar' in Past Tense (Eu dei, Ele deu)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The verb 'dar' (to give) is irregular in the past tense; remember the stem 'de-' for all persons.
- Use 'dei' for the first person singular (Eu). Example: Eu dei um presente.
- Use 'deu' for the third person singular (Ele/Ela/Você). Example: Ele deu uma ideia.
- Use 'deram' for the third person plural (Eles/Elas/Vocês). Example: Eles deram risada.
Overview
Mastering the verb dar (to give) in the Preterite tense (Pretérito Perfeito Simples) is fundamental for intermediate Portuguese learners. While appearing deceptively simple, dar is a highly irregular verb whose past forms deviate significantly from regular -ar verb conjugations. This irregularity makes it challenging yet crucial, as dar extends far beyond the literal act of giving, permeating idiomatic expressions, everyday situations, and cultural nuances across Portuguese-speaking countries.
Its frequent use in describing outcomes, occurrences, and even physical sensations necessitates a thorough understanding of its past forms. Learners at the B1 level will encounter dar in contexts ranging from reporting past events to understanding colloquial expressions, making its accurate application a marker of developing fluency.
Conjugation Table
| Pronoun | Conjugation (BP/EP) | Phonetic Guide (BP Approximation) | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| :---------------- | :------------------ | :-------------------------------- | :----------------------------------- | ||
| Eu | dei | [dɛɪ̯] (like English 'day') | First-person singular. | ||
| Tu | deste | [dɛʃtʃi] (BP) / [dɛʃtɨ] (EP) | Second-person singular (common in EP, less formal BP). | ||
| Você / Ele / Ela | deu | [deʊ̯] (like English 'dew') | Third-person singular. Highly versatile form. | ||
| Nós | demos | [ˈdẽmʊs] (BP) / [ˈdemuʃ] (EP) | First-person plural. Note closed 'e' sound. | ||
| Vós | destes | [dɛʃtʃis] (BP) / [dɛʃtɨʃ] (EP) | Second-person plural (archaic in BP, formal in EP). | ||
| Vocês / Eles / Elas | deram | [ˈdɛɾɐ̃w̃] (BP) / [ˈdeɾɐ̃ũ] (EP) | Third-person plural. Stress on the first syllable. |
How This Grammar Works
Dar originates from the Latin dare, a strong verb that underwent significant sound changes over time, leading to its irregular forms in the past tenses. Unlike regular -ar verbs such as falar (to speak), which maintain their thematic vowel (a) throughout the Preterite (e.g., falei, falou), dar completely abandons its infinitive a, replacing it with an e in its stem and adopting a unique set of endings.estar (to be) - estive, ter (to have) - tive, and vir (to come) - vim. These verbs belong to a class that historically underwent vowel shifts and stem contractions, making their Preterite forms often shorter and more unpredictable than their infinitive counterparts. For dar, the core mechanism is a stem change from d-a- to d-e- coupled with specific irregular endings, resulting in forms like dei and deu.dar do not fully align with any single regular conjugation pattern, but they share features with both regular -er and -ir verbs in some forms. For instance, the eu ending -ei is reminiscent of the regular -er/-ir first-person singular Preterite, but deu for ele/ela is distinct. Understanding dar as a self-contained irregular pattern, rather than trying to force it into a regular mold, is key.Formation Pattern
dar in the Preterite is best understood as a specific set of irregular patterns rather than a rule-based derivation. The root d- remains constant, but the vowel undergoes a consistent shift to e across most forms, followed by unique Preterite endings. Pay close attention to the accentuation, as it can subtly change meaning or simply signal correct pronunciation.
Eu dei: The d- stem combines with -ei. This is a common irregular ending for the first person singular in the Preterite for certain verbs (e.g., estar -> estivei is incorrect; estar has estive, but dar has dei). It is a monosyllabic, strong form. Example: Ontem eu dei meu livro para ele. (Yesterday I gave my book to him.)
Tu deste: The d- stem + e combines with the irregular -ste ending. This form is standard in European Portuguese and some parts of Brazil. Example (EP): Tu deste o recado à tua mãe? (Did you give the message to your mother?)
Você/Ele/Ela deu: This form is d- + e + u. Deu is a highly compact, monosyllabic form and is one of the most frequently used. It often appears in impersonal constructions and idiomatic expressions. Example: A festa deu super certo! (The party went really well!)
Nós demos: The d- stem + e combines with -mos. Crucially, the vowel e here is closed (like the 'e' in 'bed' or 'lemon' in English), contrasting with the open a of nós damos in the present tense. There is no accent mark on demos in the past. Example: Nós demos o nosso melhor no projeto. (We gave our best in the project.)
Vós destes: Similar to tu deste, but with the plural -stes. This form is largely archaic in Brazilian Portuguese but remains in formal or literary European Portuguese. Example (EP): Vós destes bom exemplo a todos. (You [plural formal] gave a good example to everyone.)
Vocês/Eles/Elas deram: The d- stem + e combines with -ram. The stress falls on the first syllable, DE-ram. Misplacing the stress (e.g., de-RAM) is a common pronunciation error. Example: Eles deram uma festa incrível no sábado. (They threw an incredible party on Saturday.)
When To Use It
dar in the Preterite to describe actions that were completed at a specific point in the past, or when focusing on the outcome of a past event. Its versatility extends beyond simple transference, encompassing results, occurrences, sensations, and fixed expressions.- Literal Act of Giving: For the physical transfer of an object from one person to another.
Eu dei um livro para o meu amigo ontem.(I gave a book to my friend yesterday.)Ela me deu um conselho muito bom na semana passada.(She gave me very good advice last week.)
- Result or Outcome of an Event (
dar certo/dar errado): To express that something went well, poorly, or yielded a specific result. A reunião deu certo, conseguimos fechar o negócio.(The meeting went well, we managed to close the deal.)O carro deu problema no meio da estrada.(The car broke down in the middle of the road.)
- Occurrence or Event (
dar uma festa/dar um grito): To indicate that an event took place or an action occurred. Eles deram uma grande festa de aniversário.(They threw a big birthday party.)Alguém deu um grito na rua e todos se assustaram.(Someone screamed in the street and everyone got scared.)
- Sudden Sensations or Feelings (
dar fome/dar sono/dar vontade): Often used impersonally or with a direct object pronoun to express experiencing a sudden physical or emotional state. Me deu uma dor de cabeça terrível depois da aula.(I got a terrible headache after class.)Aquele filme me deu muito medo.(That movie gave me a lot of fear / That movie scared me a lot.)
- Time Expressions: When clocks strike a certain hour.
Quando o relógio deu meia-noite, todos brindaram.(When the clock struck midnight, everyone toasted.)Já deu a hora de ir embora, né?(It's already time to go, isn't it?)
- Impersonal Constructions (
dar para): To express possibility or capability in the past. Não deu para ir ao show por causa da chuva.(It wasn't possible to go to the concert because of the rain.)Deu para entender a explicação do professor?(Was it possible to understand the professor's explanation?)
Common Mistakes
dar in the Preterite due to its irregularity and broad semantic range. Recognizing these patterns helps in solidifying correct usage.- Over-regularization: A very common error is attempting to apply regular
-arverb endings todar, resulting in incorrect forms likeeu daeiorele daou. These forms do not exist. Always remember the distinct stem and endings:eu dei,ele deu.
- Misplaced Stress in
deram: The third-person plural formderammust be stressed on the first syllable:DE-ram. Pronouncing itde-RAMis incorrect and can sound unnatural to native speakers. This stress pattern is consistent with other irregular verbs ending in-eram(e.g.,fizeram,tiveram).
- Confusion with
dizer: Bothdaranddizer(to say/tell) start withd-and are irregular, leading to occasional confusion.Deu(gave/happened) is distinct fromdisse(said/told). While they are phonetically different, in rapid conversation or for less experienced learners, they can be momentarily mixed up. For example,Ele me deu uma notícia(He gave me news) vs.Ele me disse uma notícia(He told me news).
Nós demos(Preterite) vs.Nós damos(Present): These two forms differ by only one letter and a subtle vowel sound.Nós damos(present tense) has an openasound (like in 'car'), meaning
Conjugation of 'Dar' (Pretérito Perfeito)
| Person | Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
|
1st Sing
|
Eu
|
dei
|
|
2nd Sing
|
Tu
|
deste
|
|
3rd Sing
|
Ele/Ela/Você
|
deu
|
|
1st Plur
|
Nós
|
demos
|
|
2nd Plur
|
Vós
|
destes
|
|
3rd Plur
|
Eles/Elas/Vocês
|
deram
|
Meanings
The verb 'dar' in the Pretérito Perfeito indicates a completed action of giving or providing something in the past.
Giving physical objects
Transferring possession of an item.
“Eu dei um livro a ela.”
“Nós demos dinheiro para a caridade.”
Giving abstract concepts
Providing advice, attention, or permission.
“Ele deu uma sugestão ótima.”
“Ela deu atenção ao problema.”
Idiomatic expressions
Used in phrases like 'dar risada' (to laugh) or 'dar certo' (to work out).
“Nós demos muita risada ontem.”
“O plano deu certo no final.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + Verb
|
Eu dei o livro.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + não + Verb
|
Eu não dei o livro.
|
|
Question
|
Verb + Subject?
|
Deu o livro?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Sim/Não + Verb
|
Sim, dei.
|
|
Idiom
|
Subject + Verb + Idiom
|
Eles deram risada.
|
Formality Spectrum
Eu dei o documento a ele. (Work)
Eu dei o documento para ele. (Work)
Eu passei o documento pra ele. (Work)
Eu mandei o documento pra ele. (Work)
Uses of 'Dar'
Physical
- dar um presente give a gift
Abstract
- dar uma ideia give an idea
Idiomatic
- dar risada to laugh
Examples by Level
Eu dei um presente.
I gave a gift.
Ele deu o livro.
He gave the book.
Nós demos comida.
We gave food.
Eles deram flores.
They gave flowers.
Você deu a chave?
Did you give the key?
Eu não dei o dinheiro.
I didn't give the money.
Ela deu uma ideia.
She gave an idea.
Nós demos risada.
We laughed.
Ele deu um jeito no problema.
He fixed the problem.
Eles deram atenção ao cliente.
They paid attention to the client.
Eu dei uma olhada no relatório.
I took a look at the report.
Você deu permissão para eles?
Did you give them permission?
O governo deu apoio financeiro.
The government gave financial support.
Nós demos início ao projeto.
We started the project.
Ela deu um passo importante.
She took an important step.
Eles deram a entender que sairiam.
They implied they would leave.
O professor deu ênfase ao tema.
The professor emphasized the topic.
Eles deram cabo da situação.
They put an end to the situation.
Ela deu mostras de coragem.
She showed signs of courage.
Nós demos conta do recado.
We handled the task.
O autor deu voz aos oprimidos.
The author gave a voice to the oppressed.
Eles deram azo a muitas críticas.
They gave rise to much criticism.
O juiz deu ganho de causa.
The judge ruled in favor.
Ela deu largas à imaginação.
She gave free rein to her imagination.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'dar' (to give) and 'dever' (to owe).
Learners use 'deu' for present tense.
Learners think 'dar' means 'to say'.
Common Mistakes
Eu dadei
Eu dei
Eu dei o presente para ele
Eu dei o presente a ele
Ele dadeu
Ele deu
Nós dademos
Nós demos
Eles daram
Eles deram
Você deu?
Você deu?
Eu não dei nada
Eu não dei nada
Eu dei um jeito no carro
Eu dei um jeito no carro
Ele deu de presente
Ele deu de presente
Nós demos de comer
Nós demos de comer
Eles deram cabo de tudo
Eles deram cabo de tudo
Ela deu mostras de ser capaz
Ela deu mostras de ser capaz
O plano deu certo
O plano deu certo
Ele deu a entender
Ele deu a entender
Sentence Patterns
Eu ___ um ___ para ele.
O plano ___ ___ no final.
Eles ___ ___ ao problema.
Ela ___ ___ de coragem.
Real World Usage
Dei uma olhada no seu post!
Eu dei suporte à equipe.
O hotel deu um mapa.
O restaurante deu um brinde.
Ele deu um like na foto.
O professor deu ênfase ao tema.
Stem Consistency
Don't confuse with present
Idioms
Regional usage
Smart Tips
Check if the action is finished to decide between 'deu' and 'dá'.
Use 'a' for formal recipients and 'para' for informal.
Don't translate 'dar' literally in phrases like 'dar certo'.
Remember the 'de-' stem for all persons.
Pronunciation
Final -am
In 'deram', the final -am is pronounced like a nasal 'ã'.
Rising for questions
Você deu o livro? ↑
Indicates a yes/no question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'DEI' (I gave) like 'Day' in English, and 'DEU' (He gave) like 'Dew' on the grass.
Visual Association
Imagine a person handing a gift (dei) to a friend, and the friend saying 'deu' (it's given).
Rhyme
Eu dei, você deu, o presente apareceu.
Story
Yesterday, I (Eu) gave (dei) a flower to my friend. He (Ele) gave (deu) me a smile back. We (Nós) gave (demos) our thanks to the host.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you gave to people yesterday.
Cultural Notes
In Brazil, 'dar' is used in many slang expressions like 'dar bom' (to be good/work out).
In Portugal, the use of 'dar' is slightly more formal, and 'a' is preferred over 'para' for recipients.
Used frequently in social contexts to mean 'to provide' or 'to offer'.
Comes from the Latin 'dare'.
Conversation Starters
O que você deu de presente no último aniversário?
Você já deu uma olhada no novo site?
Como você deu conta de todo o trabalho?
Você deu a entender que não gostou da ideia?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Eu ___ um presente para ela.
Eles ___ risada ontem.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ele dadeu o livro.
Eu dou um livro. -> Eu ___ um livro.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Você deu o recado? B: Sim, eu ___.
um / deu / ele / presente
The past tense of dar is regular.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesEu ___ um presente para ela.
Eles ___ risada ontem.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ele dadeu o livro.
Eu dou um livro. -> Eu ___ um livro.
Eu -> ?, Eles -> ?
A: Você deu o recado? B: Sim, eu ___.
um / deu / ele / presente
The past tense of dar is regular.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesEu ___ tchau para eles. (I waved/said goodbye)
Não ___ certo. (It didn't work out)
ontem / deram / parabéns / Eles / me
Choose the best translation.
Você deu o recado? Sim, eu deu.
Match the conjugation pairs.
It worked!
Ontem à noite, nós ___ muita risada. (Last night, we laughed a lot / gave much laughter)
Meus amigos deiram um presente legal.
___ um passeio ontem? (Did you take a walk yesterday?)
Eu tentei baixar o arquivo, mas ___ erro. (I tried to download the file, but it gave an error)
branco / na / Deu / hora / prova / da
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, it is irregular. It uses the stem 'de-'.
You say 'Eu dei'.
'Deu' is past tense, 'dá' is present tense.
Yes, like 'dar uma ideia' (give an idea).
The spelling is the same, but pronunciation varies.
'Darei' is the future tense.
Add 'não' before the verb: 'Eu não dei'.
Yes, other irregular verbs exist, but 'dar' is unique.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
dar
The stem change is different.
donner
French is regular, Portuguese is irregular.
geben
German uses a different root.
ageru
Japanese has no person-based conjugation.
a'ta
Arabic is root-based.
gěi
Chinese has no conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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