Meaning
States the institution or place where one studies.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use the verb 'fazer' (to do/make) instead of 'estudar' when talking about their major. For example, 'Eu faço Direito' (I study Law). In Portugal, students often refer to their school as 'a minha faculdade' or 'a minha escola', and the phrase 'andar em' is a very common informal way to say you attend a school. In both countries, the distinction between 'Universidade' (University) and 'Faculdade' (Faculty/College) is important. You study 'na faculdade' even if it's part of a larger 'universidade'.
Drop the 'Eu'
In Portuguese, verb endings tell you who is speaking. You can just say 'Estudo na...' and it sounds more native.
City Exceptions
While most cities use 'em', some like 'O Porto', 'O Rio de Janeiro', and 'A Haia' require contractions (no Porto, no Rio, na Haia).
Meaning
States the institution or place where one studies.
Drop the 'Eu'
In Portuguese, verb endings tell you who is speaking. You can just say 'Estudo na...' and it sounds more native.
City Exceptions
While most cities use 'em', some like 'O Porto', 'O Rio de Janeiro', and 'A Haia' require contractions (no Porto, no Rio, na Haia).
Institution Gender
If you don't know the gender of a school, use 'em uma' (in a) to be safe, as it's a common generic form.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct contraction (em, na, no).
Eu estudo ___ (a) escola de artes.
Escola is feminine, so em + a = na.
Which sentence is correct for a city?
How do you say 'I study in Porto'?
Porto is one of the few cities in Portuguese that takes a masculine article.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Onde você estuda? B: Eu ______ na biblioteca.
The first person singular of 'estudar' is 'estudo'.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match 'Eu estudo em casa' to its context.
Home (casa) is a physical location, not an institution.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu estudo ___ (a) escola de artes.
Escola is feminine, so em + a = na.
How do you say 'I study in Porto'?
Porto is one of the few cities in Portuguese that takes a masculine article.
A: Onde você estuda? B: Eu ______ na biblioteca.
The first person singular of 'estudar' is 'estudo'.
Match 'Eu estudo em casa' to its context.
Home (casa) is a physical location, not an institution.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsNo, 'universidade' is feminine, so you must use 'na' (em + a).
It is neutral. It works in both casual conversations and formal interviews.
'Em' is the base preposition. 'No' is the contraction of 'em' + 'o' (the). Use 'no' for masculine institutions.
No, for your major, say 'Eu estudo [Major]' (e.g., Eu estudo Biologia).
You say 'Eu estudo online' or 'Eu estudo à distância'.
It's a colloquialism where 'doing a course' replaces 'studying at'. It's very common in daily life.
Related Phrases
Eu faço faculdade na...
similarI go to college at...
Eu curso...
specialized formI am taking the course...
Eu me formei em...
contrastI graduated in...
