Em primeiro lugar

Using this phrase is like setting the foundation of a house. You place it at the very beginning of your sentence or paragraph. It usually acts as an introductory adverbial phrase. You don't need fancy grammar to make it work. Just drop it in, add a comma, and state your point. For example: Em primeiro lugar, o projeto está atrasado. (In the first place, the project is late.) You can use it in writing, like a professional email to your boss who keeps 'pinging' you on Slack. You can also use it in speech during a debate or a serious talk with a partner. Just be careful not to use it for trivial things unless you're being funny. Saying Em primeiro lugar, eu quero uma coxinha at a snack bar might make the waiter think you’re about to deliver a manifesto on fried dough. It works best when followed by subsequent points to keep the flow going. It’s the lead singer of your sentence structure—it needs the backup band of além disso (besides that) or finalmente (finally) to really rock.

This phrase sits comfortably in the 'Neutral' to 'Formal' zone. It’s perfect for the corporate world, academic papers, and news reports. If you're writing a LinkedIn post about 'synergy' and 'pivot points,' this phrase is your bread and butter. However, it’s not so stiff that you can’t use it with friends. In a casual setting, it often takes on a slightly dramatic or emphatic tone. If your friend asks why you’re breaking up with your boyfriend, starting with Em primeiro lugar... signals that a long list of grievances is coming. It’s less formal than primeiramente (which sounds a bit like a graduation speech) but more structured than just saying primeiro. It’s the 'smart casual' of Portuguese phrases—it looks good in a boardroom but doesn't feel weird at a dinner party. Just don't use it in a 3 a.m. 'u up?' text unless you want to sound like a lawyer.

Imagine you’re in a Zoom meeting. The camera is on, your cat is in the background, and someone asks for your opinion on the new marketing strategy. You say: Em primeiro lugar, precisamos focar no público jovem. Boom. Instant respect. Or maybe you're writing a review on TripAdvisor for a hotel that had no towels. You start with: Em primeiro lugar, o atendimento foi péssimo. It sets the stage for the rest of your rant. On TikTok, you might see a creator doing a 'storytime' about a bad date. They’ll hold their phone, look into the lens, and say: Gente, em primeiro lugar, ele nem pagou o café! It adds weight to the story. It’s also very common in podcasts when hosts are breaking down a complex topic. It’s the universal signal for 'pay attention, the list is starting.' Even in a WhatsApp group debate about which Marvel movie is best, this phrase helps you keep your dignity while arguing with strangers.

Use this when you have more than one thing to say. If you only have one point, just say it. Using em primeiro lugar implies a sequence. Use it in job interviews to structure your answers—it shows you have 'analytical skills' (even if you just learned the phrase five minutes ago). Use it when you are providing feedback, whether it's to a coworker or a restaurant owner. It helps soften the blow by making the critique sound 'logical' rather than just 'emotional.' It's also great for self-reflection. If you're journaling about your goals, write down Em primeiro lugar, quero aprender português. It gives your goals a sense of hierarchy and importance. It’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to transition from 'knowing words' to 'communicating ideas.' It’s also great for being a bit 'extra' when your roommate forgets to do the dishes again.

Don't use this if you’re in a huge rush. It’s a slow-paced phrase. If a building is on fire, don't say Em primeiro lugar, por favor, saiam pela porta. Just scream 'SAIAM!'. Also, avoid it in extremely informal, slang-heavy conversations where it might sound too 'posh' or 'nerdy.' If you're at a loud club trying to tell a joke, this phrase is too long and will likely be ignored. Don't use it if you don't actually have a second or third point. There’s nothing more awkward than saying Em primeiro lugar... and then just stopping. It’s like a cliffhanger in a show that got canceled—very unsatisfying. And finally, don't use it to state the obvious. Em primeiro lugar, o céu é azul is a bit of a waste of everyone's time. Use it for things that actually need explaining or defending.

A very frequent slip-up for English speakers is saying No primeiro lugar. This literally means 'In the first place' (like a physical spot or a race ranking), but it’s not the rhetorical opener. In Portuguese, we use the preposition em. Another mistake is forgetting the comma after the phrase. Without the comma, the sentence can feel breathless. Some people also over-rely on it, using it for every single sentence. That makes you sound like a robot programmed by a Victorian schoolmaster.

• ✗ No primeiro lugar, o preço é alto. → ✓ Em primeiro lugar, o preço é alto.
• ✗ Em primeiro lugar eu gostaria... → ✓ Em primeiro lugar, eu gostaria...
• ✗ Em lugar primeiro... → ✓ Em primeiro lugar...

Make sure you don't confuse it with de primeira, which means 'right away' or 'at first attempt.' They are not interchangeable. If you say you passed the test em primeiro lugar, it means you were the #1 student. If you passed de primeira, it means you didn't have to retake it.

If em primeiro lugar feels a bit too long, you can just use primeiro. It’s faster and more casual. If you want to sound very fancy (like you’re about to win a Nobel Prize), use primeiramente. It’s very common in formal speeches. Another great one is antes de mais nada (before anything else). This one is very idiomatic and sounds very 'native.' It adds a bit more urgency than em primeiro lugar. In Brazil, you might also hear antes de tudo (before everything). If you’re at the end of your list and want to sound final, you’d use por último or finalmente. In Portugal, people might say em primeiro plano, though that's more about focus than sequence. Knowing these variations helps you avoid repeating yourself like a broken Spotify loop. You can start with Em primeiro lugar..., then use Além disso..., and then maybe Antes de mais nada, vale lembrar que... to keep things interesting.

Is it too formal for texting? Not really, but use it sparingly. It can make you sound a bit serious or 'done' with the conversation. Can I use it to mean I won a race? Yes! Fiquei em primeiro lugar means 'I came in first place.' The context usually makes it clear which one you mean. Is primeiramente better? Not 'better,' just more formal. Use primeiramente for speeches or formal letters, and em primeiro lugar for everything else. What comes after it? Usually em segundo lugar, em terceiro lugar, etc. Or you can just switch to também (also) or além disso (furthermore). Does it change gender? No, it’s always lugar (masculine), so it stays primeiro. Even if a woman is speaking, she says em primeiro lugar.