Meaning
To visit a store to buy groceries.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'mercado' is the standard term for a supermarket. People often use 'ir no' in casual speech. In Portugal, 'ir ao supermercado' is more common if referring to a large store, while 'mercado' might refer to a traditional municipal market. Grocery shopping is a daily ritual in many Lusophone countries, unlike the weekly bulk shopping in the US.
Preposition check
Always check the gender of the place. Masculine = ao, Feminine = à.
Brazilian vs Portugal
In Portugal, 'supermercado' is preferred for large stores.
Meaning
To visit a store to buy groceries.
Preposition check
Always check the gender of the place. Masculine = ao, Feminine = à.
Brazilian vs Portugal
In Portugal, 'supermercado' is preferred for large stores.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence.
Eu preciso ___ mercado.
'Ir ao' is the standard form.
Which is correct?
Which sentence is grammatically standard?
'Ao' is the correct contraction.
Match the verb to the place.
Ir + mercado
Mercado is masculine.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Onde você vai? B: ___.
Only 'ao mercado' is grammatically correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu preciso ___ mercado.
'Ir ao' is the standard form.
Which sentence is grammatically standard?
'Ao' is the correct contraction.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mercado is masculine.
A: Onde você vai? B: ___.
Only 'ao mercado' is grammatically correct.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt's understandable but 'ir ao' is much more natural for a short trip.
Mostly, yes. It implies groceries.
It's a common colloquialism where 'no' replaces 'ao'.
No, it's very neutral and everyday.
You can still say 'ir ao mercado'.
Use 'Eu fui ao mercado'.
Not rude, just informal.
Yes, 'feira' or 'mercearia'.
Related Phrases
Fazer compras
synonymTo do shopping
Ir à feira
similarTo go to the open-air market
Ir ao supermercado
specialized formTo go to the supermarket
