A2 Present Tense 22 min read Easy

The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives

Pôr is an irregular, nasal-heavy verb for 'to put' that unlocks many other derivative verbs like 'supor'.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The verb 'pôr' (to put) is irregular because it keeps the old 'po-' root, unlike standard -er verbs.

  • The stem is 'põe-' for most singular forms: 'Eu ponho', 'Você põe'.
  • Derivatives like 'compor' follow the same pattern: 'Eu componho'.
  • The infinitive ends in -or, but it conjugates like an -er verb.
Subject + (ponho/pões/põe/pomos/põem) + Object

Overview

The verb pôr stands as one of Portuguese's most fundamentally irregular yet indispensable verbs, translating primarily to "to put," "to place," or "to set." Its irregularity stems from its Latin etymology, ponere, which evolved phonetically in a manner distinct from most other verbs. While many Portuguese verbs adhere to predictable conjugation patterns, pôr consistently defies them, particularly through the introduction of an unexpected n or nh in its present tense forms. Mastering pôr is crucial for A2 learners as it unlocks not only common daily expressions but also provides the key to conjugating a family of over a dozen sophisticated derivative verbs such as compor (to compose), supor (to suppose), expor (to expose), and propor (to propose), all of which follow pôr's unique pattern.

Historically, pôr was poer, reflecting its -er conjugation class. Over centuries, the intervocalic e was lost, leading to the truncated pôr. This historical shift explains why, despite its -or ending, pôr continues to behave with the stem changes characteristic of former -er verbs.

Its pervasive use across registers, from informal commands like Põe aqui! (Put it here!) to formal directives, underscores its necessity. Without a solid grasp of pôr, a learner's ability to communicate basic actions and complex ideas in Portuguese remains significantly hindered.

Conjugation Table

Pronoun pôr (Present Indicative) Example Translation
:-------- :------------------------- :------------------------------------------- :-------------------------------
Eu ponho Eu ponho o livro na mesa. I put the book on the table.
Tu (EP) pões Tu pões a mesa para o jantar. You set the table for dinner.
Você põe Você põe açúcar no café? Do you put sugar in your coffee?
Ele/Ela põe Ele põe a chave na gaveta. He puts the key in the drawer.
Nós pomos Nós pomos muito esforço nisso. We put a lot of effort into that.
Vós (EP) pondes Vós pondes a verdade em primeiro lugar. You (plural) put truth first.
Eles/Elas põem Eles põem a roupa a secar. They put the clothes out to dry.
Vocês põem Vocês põem a música alta demais. You (plural) play the music too loud.

How This Grammar Works

The irregularity of pôr is not arbitrary but a product of historical phonetic evolution from its Latin root. Understanding this why provides a framework for internalizing its unique behavior. The verb pôr descends from the Latin ponere, which was a third-conjugation verb.
Most Latin third-conjugation verbs became -er verbs in Portuguese. The loss of the intervocalic e in poer (from ponere) created pôr, but its conjugation retained strong vestiges of its original form.
Specifically, the appearance of n or nh in the present tense forms is a direct inheritance from the Latin stem pon-. The palatal nasal sound /ɲ/ in Eu ponho is a common development in Portuguese, seen in other irregular verbs like ter (to have) which yields tenho, and vir (to come) which yields venho. This sound, represented by nh, distinguishes ponho from hypothetical regularized forms like pono.
Furthermore, the nasal diphthong õe in pões, põe, and põem is a characteristic feature of Portuguese phonology, indicating that the vowel sound is produced with air escaping through both the mouth and the nose. The tilde (~) is the orthographic marker for this essential nasalization, transforming the simple diphthong oi into õe. This nasalization ensures that põe is pronounced distinctly from an oral diphthong, reflecting the phonetic shifts that occurred over centuries.

Formation Pattern

1
Conjugating pôr in the present indicative requires specific stem changes that diverge significantly from regular -er or -ar verbs. Learners must commit these patterns to memory, as there is no simple rule for the stem modification. However, the endings themselves mostly align with -er verbs, once the stem is correctly identified.
2
First Person Singular (Eu): The stem pôr- transforms radically to ponh-, taking the -o ending. This yields Eu ponho. This is the most unpredictable form, often causing difficulty for learners. The nh sound, a palatal nasal, is crucial here. Think of it as a historical relic from the Latin ponere stem and a common feature of several highly frequent irregular verbs (ter, vir).
3
Second Person Singular (Tu): The stem takes on the nasal diphthong õe, resulting in Tu pões. The -s ending is typical for the tu form of -er verbs. The tilde over the o is indispensable, indicating the nasal quality of the diphthong.
4
Third Person Singular (Você/Ele/Ela): Similar to tu, the stem becomes põe, resulting in Você/Ele/Ela põe. There is no -s ending for the third person singular. This form is extremely common in both BP and EP and requires careful attention to the nasal pronunciation.
5
First Person Plural (Nós): Here, the verb appears deceptively regular, with the stem po- and the standard -mos ending for -er verbs, forming Nós pomos. This is the only form without overt nasalization or the nh sound, making it an anomaly within pôr's present indicative conjugation.
6
Second Person Plural (Vós): Primarily used in European Portuguese, this form derives from pon- and takes the -des ending, giving Vós pondes. This form also carries an n sound, though not the nh of eu ponho.
7
Third Person Plural (Eles/Elas/Vocês): The stem returns to the nasal diphthong õe, but this time combined with an -m ending, resulting in Eles/Elas/Vocês põem. The -m ending reinforces the nasalization and is characteristic of third-person plural forms in Portuguese, especially following nasal vowels or diphthongs.
8
Understanding these distinct stem transformations, especially ponho, pões, põe, pomos, and põem, is key. When conjugating derivatives like compor, depor, expor, impor, propor, repor, or supor, simply replace pôr with the base derivative and apply the same endings. For example, compor becomes Eu componho, Tu compões, Ele compõe, Nós compomos, Eles compõem.

When To Use It

Pôr is exceptionally versatile, used for a wide array of actions involving placement, arrangement, or causation. Its usage extends far beyond the literal translation of "to put" and encompasses numerous idiomatic expressions and figurative contexts.
  • Physical Placement of Objects: This is the most direct use of pôr, referring to placing something in a specific location.
  • Por favor, põe os pratos na mesa. (Please, put the plates on the table.)
  • Eu sempre ponho meu celular aqui. (I always put my phone here.)
  • Onde você põe as chaves? (Where do you put the keys?)
  • Donning Clothing or Accessories: When describing the act of putting on an item of clothing, pôr is the standard verb, focusing on the action itself rather than the state of wearing.
  • Ela vai pôr o casaco antes de sair. (She's going to put on her coat before leaving.)
  • Eu ponho meus óculos para ler. (I put on my glasses to read.)
  • As crianças põem os sapatos sozinhas. (The children put on their shoes by themselves.)
  • Setting or Arranging: Pôr is used for arranging items, establishing conditions, or setting appointments.
  • Minha mãe põe a mesa todos os dias. (My mother sets the table every day.)
  • Vamos pôr uma data para a reunião. (Let's set a date for the meeting.)
  • O jardineiro põe novas plantas no canteiro. (The gardener puts new plants in the flowerbed.)
  • Imposing, Applying, or Establishing: This refers to bringing something into effect, often abstract concepts like rules, limits, or pressure.
  • O governo põe novas leis em vigor. (The government implements new laws.)
  • Isso põe muita pressão sobre nós. (That puts a lot of pressure on us.)
  • Temos que pôr um limite aos gastos. (We have to set a limit on expenses.)
  • Causing, Producing, or Influencing: Pôr can indicate the initiation or creation of a state, emotion, or action.
  • A notícia pôs medo em todos. (The news put fear into everyone / scared everyone.)
  • Ele pôs em dúvida a versão dela. (He cast doubt on her version.)
  • Você põe um sorriso no meu rosto. (You put a smile on my face.)
  • Figurative and Idiomatic Expressions: Portuguese is rich in idioms using pôr.
  • Pôr do sol (sunset – literally "putting of the sun").
  • Pôr em prática (to put into practice, to implement).
  • Pôr a mão na massa (to get down to work, literally "to put one's hand in the dough").
  • Pôr o ovo (to lay an egg – for birds/reptiles).
  • Digital and Informal Contexts (Brazilian Portuguese): Especially in informal BP, pôr or its synonym botar is used for online activities.
  • Põe uma foto no seu Instagram. (Post a photo on your Instagram.)
  • Vou pôr no Google para ver. (I'll Google it to see.)

When Not To Use It

Despite its broad utility, pôr is not a universal substitute for every English "put" or related concept. Misusing it can lead to confusion or unnatural-sounding Portuguese.
  • Pouring Liquids: You do not use pôr for pouring liquids. The correct verbs are derramar or verter.
  • Incorrect: Eu ponho água no copo.
  • Correct: Eu derramo água no copo. (I pour water into the glass.)
  • Correct: Por favor, verte o suco aqui. (Please, pour the juice here.)
  • Wearing (already on): While pôr is for the action of putting on clothes, vestir or usar is used to describe the state of wearing something.
  • Incorrect: Ela põe um vestido vermelho. (if meaning she is currently wearing it)
  • Correct: Ela veste um vestido vermelho. (She is wearing a red dress.)
  • Correct: Ele usa óculos. (He wears glasses.)
  • Giving Birth (live young): While pôr ovos is correct for laying eggs, for mammals giving birth to live young, you use parir or dar à luz.
  • Incorrect: A cadela pôs filhotes.
  • Correct: A cadela parou filhotes. (The dog gave birth to puppies.)
  • Correct: Ela deu à luz um menino. (She gave birth to a boy.)
  • Figurative "Put" with Different Portuguese Equivalents: Many English phrasal verbs with "put" have entirely different translations in Portuguese.
  • "Put up with" translates to aguentar or suportar. (e.g., Eu não aguento mais isso. - I can't put up with this anymore.)
  • "Put down" (to criticize) translates to criticar, rebaixar or deprimir (to make sad).
  • "Put off" (to postpone) translates to adiar.
Always consider the specific context and nuance, as a direct translation of "put" will often lead to an incorrect usage of pôr.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when navigating the complexities of pôr. These mistakes often arise from attempts to regularize an inherently irregular verb or from misinterpreting subtle phonetic cues.
  • The Eu pono Trap (Regularization): This is arguably the most common error. Beginners often try to apply a regular -o ending directly to the verb stem, leading to the non-existent Eu pono or Eu poio. This stems from the natural tendency to seek patterns. However, Eu ponho is a strong, inherited irregular form that must be memorized. Its nh comes from the historical palatalization of the Latin n sound before certain vowels.
  • Accent Amnesia (Missing the Tilde): Forgetting the tilde (~) on pões, põe, and põem is a significant orthographic error. The tilde is not merely a decorative mark; it is a phonological indicator of nasalization. Without it, poe is a different, non-nasal sound. Poe could be misread as the third-person singular of a hypothetical poer (if it were regular) or as the proper noun Poe. Correct use of ~ is essential for both pronunciation and meaning.
  • Pronunciation of õe and õem: Many learners pronounce põe and pões as if they were pói or pois (like in English "boy" or "toys"). The nasal quality is frequently overlooked. To correctly pronounce õe and õem, you must allow air to pass through your nasal cavity while forming the vowel sound, creating a distinct nasal diphthong. Practicing with a native speaker or using online pronunciation guides is highly recommended.
  • Confusion with Botar: In Brazil, botar is a widely used, informal synonym for pôr, particularly in casual speech: Bota aqui! (Put it here!). However, learners often overuse botar in contexts where pôr would be more appropriate, or even in formal settings where botar can sound overly casual or even uneducated. In European Portuguese, botar is much rarer and can carry vulgar or sexual connotations, making pôr the universally safer and more appropriate choice. Always default to pôr unless you are absolutely certain of the context and regional nuances of botar.
  • Over-reliance on Colocar: While colocar is a regular and safe synonym for pôr, constantly using it can make a speaker sound overly formal, stiff, or robotic. Pôr often conveys a more natural, dynamic, and integrated sense of action. For instance, Pôr a mesa (to set the table) is far more natural than Colocar a mesa, which sounds like a literal, almost clinical placement of the table itself.
  • Incorrect Transitivity/Prepositions: Learners might struggle with the prepositions that follow pôr or use it intransitively when it requires an object. Pôr is a transitive verb; it almost always requires a direct object (o que? - what?) and often an indirect object or adverbial phrase of place (onde? - where?).
  • Ele põe o livro na estante. (He puts the book on the shelf.)
  • Eu ponho a mão no fogo. (I put my hand in the fire.)

Memory Trick

Internalizing pôr's irregular forms can be challenging, but a mnemonic focusing on the distinct nasal elements can be effective. Consider the "Nasal Presence" trick:

Remember that an N sound is almost always present in the irregular forms of pôr in the present tense, either as nh or õe:

- For Eu, think of the N coming with an h – ponho.

- For Tu, Você, Ele/Ela, Eles/Elas/Vocês, think of the N as part of the special nasal diphthong õe (with or without the final m for plural).

- The only exception to this "Nasal Presence" is Nós pomos, where the o stands alone without nasal marking. This makes nós pomos the outlier, and therefore, paradoxically, easier to remember due to its comparative regularity.

Another approach is to visualize the nh and õe as little "nose" icons indicating where to nasalize your sound. Practice saying these specific forms frequently until the nasalization feels natural. The more you produce the sounds, the more ingrained the forms become.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp pôr, observe its natural occurrence in contemporary Portuguese speech. Pôr is ubiquitous in various contexts, from quick digital messages to more nuanced, formal discussions.

- Informal / Texting (Brazilian Portuguese):

- Amiga, põe no grupo a foto da festa! (Friend, put the party photo in the group chat! - meaning: post/upload)

- Põe aí o endereço, por favor. (Send me the address there, please. - meaning: type/provide)

- Vou pôr um som pra gente relaxar. (I'm going to put on some music for us to relax.)

- Casual Conversation (European & Brazilian Portuguese):

- Podes pôr o lixo lá fora? (Can you put the rubbish outside? - EP)

- Ele sempre põe muito açúcar no café. (He always puts a lot of sugar in his coffee.)

- Não ponho mais os pés naquele lugar. (I'm not setting foot in that place anymore.)

- Nós pomos as malas no porta-malas. (We put the suitcases in the trunk.)

- Work / Semi-Formal Contexts:

- Devemos pôr em prática as novas diretrizes de segurança. (We must implement the new safety guidelines.)

- A diretoria pôs um prazo final para a entrega do projeto. (The board set a final deadline for the project's delivery.)

- Preciso expor minhas ideias na reunião. (I need to present my ideas in the meeting. - using a derivative, expor)

- Idiomatic Usage:

- Ele pôs o pé na jaca quando bebeu demais. (He messed up/went overboard when he drank too much.)

- Está na hora de pôr a mão na massa e terminar o relatório. (It's time to get down to work and finish the report.)

- O pôr do sol na praia é lindo. (The sunset on the beach is beautiful.)

These examples illustrate pôr's flexibility and how it integrates seamlessly into everyday communication. Observing and mimicking these real-world uses is paramount for advanced acquisition.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly master pôr, it is essential to differentiate it from other verbs that might seem similar or translate to "put" in English but carry different nuances, registers, or specific usages in Portuguese.
  • Pôr vs. Colocar: This is the most common point of confusion. Colocar is a regular -ar verb that means "to place" or "to put." It is always a safe choice and often interchangeable with pôr in its literal sense of physical placement. However, there are subtle differences:
  • Formality/Dynamics: Colocar often sounds slightly more formal, precise, or static. Pôr is generally more dynamic, natural, and colloquial. Think of colocar as a careful, deliberate placement, while pôr can be quicker, more casual.
  • Por favor, coloque o livro com cuidado na prateleira. (Please, place the book carefully on the shelf.) - More formal/precise
  • Põe o livro na mesa, rápido. (Put the book on the table, quickly.) - More dynamic/casual
  • Idioms: Many idioms exclusively use pôr. You would say pôr a mesa (to set the table), not colocar a mesa. Similarly, pôr do sol (sunset), not colocar do sol.
  • Pôr vs. Botar: Botar is another regular -ar verb meaning "to put" or "to place," predominantly used in Brazilian Portuguese and generally considered more informal and colloquial than pôr. In many contexts, particularly informal ones, botar and pôr are interchangeable in Brazil.
  • Bota a panela no fogo. (Put the pot on the stove.) - BP, informal
  • Põe a panela no fogo. (Put the pot on the stove.) - BP/EP, standard
  • Regional Nuance: Crucially, in European Portuguese, botar is rarely used in this sense and can even carry crude or vulgar connotations related to sexual acts or expelling bodily fluids. Therefore, for learners, it is safest to avoid botar in European Portuguese contexts and generally stick to pôr or colocar in formal BP situations.
  • Pôr (putting on) vs. Vestir (wearing/dressing):
  • Pôr refers specifically to the action of donning clothes or accessories.
  • Vou pôr meu chapéu. (I'm going to put on my hat.)
  • Vestir means "to wear" or "to dress" and describes the state of having clothes on, or the act of dressing oneself.
  • Ela veste um vestido azul. (She is wearing a blue dress.)
  • Preciso me vestir para a festa. (I need to get dressed for the party.)
  • Pôr vs. Derramar/Verter (pouring liquids):
  • This is a strict distinction. Pôr is never used for liquids. Derramar (to spill, to pour out) and verter (to pour) are the correct verbs.
  • Incorrect: Por favor, põe mais água no copo.
  • Correct: Por favor, derrama/vierte mais água no copo. (Please, pour more water into the glass.)
  • Pôr (asking) vs. Fazer (making/doing): While pôr uma pergunta can occasionally be heard, fazer uma pergunta is the overwhelmingly more common and natural expression for "to ask a question."
  • Preciso fazer uma pergunta. (I need to ask a question.)
Careful consideration of these contrasts will refine your usage of pôr and lead to more natural and accurate Portuguese.

Progressive Practice

1

Mastering pôr requires consistent and varied practice. Move beyond simple conjugations to integrate the verb into meaningful contexts and conversational exchanges.

2

- Conjugation Drills with Derivatives: Practice conjugating not just pôr, but also its common derivatives. For each derivative (e.g., compor, depor, expor, impor, propor, repor, supor), mentally or verbally conjugate all present indicative forms. Focus on how the core pôr pattern (ponho, pões, põe, pomos, põem) transfers directly.

3

- Eu componho, tu compões, ele compõe, nós compomos, eles compõem.

4

- Sentence Completion: Fill in the blank with the correct form of pôr or a derivative, paying attention to the subject and context.

5

- Nós sempre _________ (pôr) muito amor no que fazemos.

6

- Você _________ (propor) uma nova ideia para o projeto?

7

- Eu não _________ (supor) que fosse tão difícil.

8

- Translating "Put" in Context: Translate English sentences containing "put" into Portuguese, forcing you to choose between pôr, colocar, botar, or an entirely different verb, based on nuance and formality.

9

- "She puts on makeup every morning." (Hint: pôr)

10

- "They put the documents in the archive." (Hint: pôr or colocar)

11

- "He always puts off his homework." (Hint: adiar)

12

- Scenario-Based Practice: Describe everyday scenarios and practice constructing sentences using pôr to narrate the actions. Imagine situations like preparing a meal, organizing a room, or discussing future plans.

13

- Scenario: You are tidying your desk. What do you do with your pens, papers, and laptop?

14

- Eu ponho as canetas no estojo.

15

- Eu ponho os papéis na pilha.

16

- Eu ponho o laptop na mochila.

17

- Pronunciation Focus: Record yourself conjugating pôr and its derivatives, paying close attention to the nasal sounds of nh, õe, and õem. Compare your pronunciation with native speakers to refine your accent and ensure correct nasalization.

18

- Listening and Identification: Actively listen for pôr and its derivatives in Portuguese media (podcasts, songs, interviews, TV shows). Pay attention to the context and how native speakers use it naturally. Try to transcribe sentences containing the verb and analyze its usage.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Why is pôr so irregular if it ends in -or?
  • A: Its irregularity is a direct result of its Latin origin, ponere. Historically, it was an -er verb (poer), and its modern pôr form retains the complex stem changes that evolved from ponere, such as the n or nh intrusion and nasal diphthongs. The -or ending is a phonetic reduction, not an indicator of its historical conjugation pattern.
  • Q: Can I always use colocar instead of pôr?
  • A: For literal physical placement, colocar is often interchangeable and always grammatically correct. However, pôr is generally more common, natural, and dynamic in everyday speech and is essential for many idiomatic expressions. Over-reliance on colocar can make your Portuguese sound somewhat stiff or overly formal.
  • Q: Is botar safe to use in all Portuguese-speaking countries?
  • A: No. While botar is a very common informal synonym for pôr in Brazilian Portuguese, it is rarely used in this sense in European Portuguese and can carry vulgar connotations. For universal comprehension and politeness, pôr or colocar are safer choices.
  • Q: What is the significance of the tilde (~) in põe, pões, põem?
  • A: The tilde indicates that the vowel sound is nasalized, meaning air passes through both the mouth and nose during its pronunciation. This is a critical phonetic feature of Portuguese and distinguishes õe from a non-nasal oi sound. Correct pronunciation of nasal vowels is fundamental to sounding like a native speaker.
  • Q: Why does Eu ponho have nh?
  • A: The nh in ponho (and tenho, venho) is a result of a historical sound change called palatalization that occurred in Portuguese from Latin. The Latin n sound before certain vowels evolved into the palatal nasal sound /ɲ/, represented by nh in Portuguese orthography. It's a strong, irregular form that developed organically over centuries.
  • Q: Does pôr have other meanings beyond "to put/place"?
  • A: Absolutely. Pôr is highly versatile and is used to express concepts like causing, imposing, setting (e.g., a rule or a date), implementing, and even in digital contexts (e.g., posting a photo). It is central to numerous Portuguese idioms and figurative expressions.

Present Tense Conjugation of Pôr

Pronoun Conjugation
Eu
ponho
Tu
pões
Você/Ele/Ela
põe
Nós
pomos
Vocês/Eles/Elas
põem

Meanings

The verb 'pôr' means to place, set, or put something somewhere.

1

Physical placement

To place an object in a location.

“Eu ponho as chaves aqui.”

“Ela põe o copo no balcão.”

2

Abstract placement

To set a time, a condition, or a rule.

“Ele põe uma condição.”

“Você põe o despertador para as sete?”

3

Derivatives

Using the root in compound verbs.

“Eu componho músicas.”

“Ela dispõe de tempo.”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb
Eu ponho o copo.
Negative
Não + Verb
Eu não ponho o copo.
Question
Verb + Subject?
Pões o copo aqui?
Derivative
Prefix + Verb
Eu componho música.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Vou dispor o documento na mesa.

Vou dispor o documento na mesa. (Office)

Neutral
Vou pôr o documento na mesa.

Vou pôr o documento na mesa. (Office)

Informal
Vou botar o documento na mesa.

Vou botar o documento na mesa. (Office)

Slang
Vou jogar o documento na mesa.

Vou jogar o documento na mesa. (Office)

The Pôr Family

Pôr

Derivatives

  • Compor To compose
  • Dispor To arrange
  • Propor To propose
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Examples by Level

1

Eu ponho o livro aqui.

I put the book here.

1

Você põe açúcar no café?

Do you put sugar in the coffee?

1

Nós propomos uma solução.

We propose a solution.

1

Ela dispõe de muito tempo.

She has a lot of time available.

1

Devemos pôr em prática o plano.

We must put the plan into practice.

2

Eles supõem que vai chover.

They suppose it will rain.

1

Não se deve pôr a carroça à frente dos bois.

One shouldn't put the cart before the horse.

Easily Confused

The Irregular 'Put': Pôr & Derivatives vs Pôr vs Por

They look identical to beginners.

Common Mistakes

✗

Eu poho

✓

Eu ponho

Missing the 'n' in the stem.
✗

Ele poe

✓

Ele põe

Missing the tilde.
✗

Eu compono

✓

Eu componho

Applying regular conjugation to a derivative.
✗

Ele propoe

✓

Ele propõe

Incorrect accentuation on the derivative.

Sentence Patterns

Eu ___ o ___ na mesa.

Real World Usage

Restaurant very common

Pode pôr mais gelo?

Texting common

Vou pôr o alarme.

Office common

Vamos propor uma reunião.

Travel occasional

Pôr a mala na esteira.

Social Media common

Põe uma foto nova!

Food Delivery common

Pode pôr o molho à parte?

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💡

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!
⚠️

Don't forget the tilde

The tilde (~) is not optional. 'Poe' is a different word than 'põe'.
🎯

Pôr vs Colocar

Use 'colocar' if you want to sound more formal or if you are in a region where 'pôr' is less common.
💬

The 'Botar' factor

In Brazil, 'botar' is a very common informal substitute for 'pôr'.

Smart Tips

Just conjugate 'pôr' and add the prefix.

Eu compo... → Eu componho...

Always check for the tilde.

Ele poe o livro. → Ele põe o livro.

Use 'colocar' if you are nervous about the irregular conjugation.

Eu ponho... → Eu coloco...

Identify the root 'ponh' or 'põe' to spot the verb.

Eles propõem... → Eles propõem (pro + põem)...

Pronunciation

/põj/

Nasalization

The 'õe' sound is nasal. Let the air flow through your nose.

Question

Pões o livro? ↑

Rising intonation at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Pôr is like a 'Pony' that 'Puts' things in a stable.

Visual Association

Imagine a pony (ponho) placing a saddle on its back.

Rhyme

Eu ponho, tu pões, ele põe também, nós pomos, eles põem, todos vão bem.

Story

I go to the kitchen. I 'ponho' (put) the coffee on the stove. My friend 'põe' (puts) the sugar. We 'pomos' (put) the cups on the table.

Word Web

ponhopõespõepomospõemcompordisporpropor

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'ponho' and its derivatives today.

Cultural Notes

In Brazil, 'botar' is very common as a synonym for 'pôr' in informal speech.

In Portugal, 'pôr' is preferred over 'botar' in almost all contexts.

Derivatives like 'propor' are used in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Comes from Latin 'ponere'.

Conversation Starters

“

Onde você põe as chaves?

“

Você propõe alguma mudança?

Journal Prompts

Describe your morning routine using 'pôr'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate 'pôr' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ponho
The first person singular is 'ponho'.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ a mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: põem
The third person plural is 'põem'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ele poe o copo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe o copo.
Needs the tilde.
Change to 'Nós'. Sentence Transformation

Eu ponho o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pomos o livro.
The 'nós' form is 'pomos'.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To compose
Compor means to compose.
Conjugate 'propor' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ uma ideia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: proponho
Follows the 'ponho' pattern.
Which is the verb? Multiple Choice

Choose the verb.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pôr
Pôr is the infinitive.
Order the words. Sentence Building

o / mesa / na / põe / Ele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe o na mesa.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate 'pôr' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ponho
The first person singular is 'ponho'.
Select the correct form for 'Eles'. Multiple Choice

Eles ___ a mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: põem
The third person plural is 'põem'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ele poe o copo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe o copo.
Needs the tilde.
Change to 'Nós'. Sentence Transformation

Eu ponho o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pomos o livro.
The 'nós' form is 'pomos'.
Match the verb to its meaning. Match Pairs

Compor

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To compose
Compor means to compose.
Conjugate 'propor' for 'Eu'.

Eu ___ uma ideia.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: proponho
Follows the 'ponho' pattern.
Which is the verb? Multiple Choice

Choose the verb.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pôr
Pôr is the infinitive.
Order the words. Sentence Building

o / mesa / na / põe / Ele

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe o na mesa.
Correct word order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Onde você ___ os óculos?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: põe
Complete with the 'Eu' form. Fill in the Blank

Eu ___ muita dedicação no meu trabalho.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ponho
Match the pronoun to the verb form. Match Pairs

Match correctly:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu -> ponho
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

mesa / a / põe / Ela / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela põe a mesa.
Translate 'We put' to Portuguese. Translation

How do you say 'We put'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pomos
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Eu pões o açúcar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu ponho o açúcar.
Identify the plural form. Multiple Choice

Which is correct for 'They put'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles põem
Conjugate for 'Tu' (informal). Fill in the Blank

Tu ___ sal na comida?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pões
Which sentence implies setting the table? Multiple Choice

Select the correct idiom.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vou pôr a mesa.
Find the pronunciation error written phonetically. Error Correction

Ele 'poo-ee' o livro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ele põe (sounds like poy-ng) o livro.
Translate: 'Put your coat on.' Translation

Translate: 'Põe o teu casaco.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Put your coat on.
Abstract usage. Fill in the Blank

Ela ___ defeito em tudo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: põe

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, it is highly irregular.

It is a historical remnant of 'poer'.

Yes, it is a common synonym.

'Pôr' is the verb, 'por' is the preposition.

Yes, they follow the 'pôr' pattern.

It is correct in informal Brazilian Portuguese.

You say 'Eu ponho'.

Yes, for 'eles/elas/vocês'.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

poner

Spanish 'poner' is an -er verb, while 'pôr' is the only -or verb.

French moderate

poser

French 'poser' is a regular -er verb.

German low

setzen/stellen

German has no direct single-verb equivalent.

Japanese low

置く (oku)

Japanese is agglutinative.

Arabic low

وضع (wada'a)

Arabic is a root-based language.

Chinese low

放 (fàng)

Chinese has no conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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

Continue With

B1 Requires

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