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B1 preposition 9 min read

naquela

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips naquela in 30 Seconds

Explanation naquela in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn that 'naquela' is a simple way to say 'in that' for things that are far away. You use it with feminine words like 'casa' (house) or 'escola' (school). It is a combination of 'em' (in) and 'aquela' (that). At this stage, you should focus on using it to point to physical objects that are not close to you or the person you are talking to. For example, 'Eu moro naquela casa' (I live in that house). It helps you describe your environment and give basic directions. You should also remember that it always goes with feminine words. If the word is masculine, like 'carro' (car), you use 'naquele'. This is one of the first contractions you learn to make your Portuguese sound more natural and less like a textbook translation.

At the A2 level, you start using 'naquela' for more than just physical objects. You begin to use it for time references, specifically for things in the past. Phrases like 'naquela época' (at 그 time / in that era) or 'naquela semana' (in that week) become very useful when you are telling simple stories about your life. You also learn to distinguish between 'nessa' (near the listener) and 'naquela' (far from everyone). This distinction is important for clarity. You might say 'Estive naquela cidade' (I was in that city) when talking about a vacation. You are also expected to handle the plural form 'naquelas' correctly when talking about multiple feminine things, like 'naquelas ruas' (in those streets).

At the B1 level, 'naquela' becomes a tool for narrative flow. You use it to set the stage in stories, often contrasting the present with a distant past or a distant location. You start using it with abstract feminine nouns like 'situação' (situation), 'perspectiva' (perspective), or 'condição' (condition). For example, 'Naquela situação, eu não sabia o que fazer' (In that situation, I didn't know what to do). You understand that 'naquela' carries a certain psychological distance, not just physical. You also become more comfortable using it with verbs that require the preposition 'em', such as 'acreditar' (to believe) or 'confiar' (to trust), as in 'Eu não confio naquela proposta' (I don't trust in that proposal).

At the B2 level, you use 'naquela' with precision in both formal and informal contexts. You understand the stylistic choice of using 'naquela' to evoke nostalgia or to create a clear separation between different points of a complex argument. In writing, you use it to refer back to a previously mentioned feminine noun that is conceptually 'distant' from the current sentence. You also handle more complex grammatical structures, such as using 'naquela' in relative clauses or within idiomatic expressions. Your use of the word is fluid, and you no longer have to think about the 'em + aquela' math; it has become a single, functional unit in your vocabulary that you use to manage spatial and temporal deictics effortlessly.

At the C1 level, you recognize the subtle nuances 'naquela' can provide in literature and high-level discourse. You might use it to create a specific 'atmosphere' in your writing, choosing it over 'nessa' to imply a more profound sense of history or physical removal. You are aware of regional variations in how demonstratives are used across the Lusophone world and can adjust your use of 'naquela' accordingly. You also understand how it functions in complex legal or academic texts where 'naquela' refers to specific feminine entities (like 'cláusula' or 'lei') mentioned earlier in a document. Your mastery allows you to use the word to manipulate the reader's focus and perceived distance from the subject matter.

At the C2 level, 'naquela' is part of a perfectly calibrated system of spatial and temporal reference. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as in philosophical discussions about distance and perception. You understand the historical evolution of the contraction from Latin and how it fits into the broader Romance language family. You can detect when a writer uses 'naquela' to purposefully distance themselves from an idea or to create a sense of irony. You are also capable of identifying and using archaic or dialectal variations if needed for specific stylistic effects. At this stage, 'naquela' is not just a word but a precise instrument for defining the coordinates of thought and reality in the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

naquela in 30 Seconds

Naquela is a contraction of 'em' (in/at) and 'aquela' (that feminine), used for objects or times far from both the speaker and the listener.
It must always agree with a feminine singular noun, such as 'rua', 'casa', or 'época', ensuring grammatical harmony in the sentence.
Commonly used in storytelling to refer to the distant past or in directions to point out distant landmarks or specific locations.
It is a mandatory contraction in modern Portuguese; using 'em aquela' is considered incorrect and sounds unnatural to native speakers' ears.

The Portuguese word naquela is a contraction that merges the preposition em (in, on, or at) with the feminine demonstrative pronoun aquela (that). To understand its use, one must first grasp the Portuguese tripartite system of demonstratives, which distinguishes distance more precisely than English. While English uses 'this' for things near the speaker and 'that' for everything else, Portuguese uses esta for things near the speaker, essa for things near the listener, and aquela for things far from both. Consequently, naquela specifically refers to being 'in that' thing which is physically or temporally distant from both parties involved in the conversation.

Spatial Distance: Used when referring to a feminine object or location that is far away. For example, pointing to a mountain on the horizon and saying you live 'in that' mountain range.
Temporal Distance: Used to refer to points in time that are far in the past, such as 'in that decade' or 'in that era'. It creates a sense of historical or nostalgic removal.

Eu morava naquela cidade pequena antes de me mudar para Lisboa.

In everyday speech, naquela is incredibly common because Portuguese speakers rarely leave prepositions and demonstratives uncontracted. Saying em aquela sounds fragmented, archaic, or like a non-native speaker struggling with the flow of the language. The contraction allows for a melodic transition between the prepositional intent and the spatial identification. It is essential for B1 learners to move beyond simple 'in' (em) and 'that' (aquela) to the fluid 'naquela'.

Nós nos conhecemos naquela festa de verão há dez anos.

Abstract Usage: It can be used for abstract concepts like 'in that situation' (naquela situação) or 'in that perspective' (naquela perspectiva), indicating a conceptual distance from the current state of mind.

Furthermore, naquela is used in storytelling to set a scene that is distinct from the present reality. It acts as a linguistic signal that the narrative is moving to a different coordinate in space or time. Whether you are discussing history, pointing out a distant shop, or reminiscing about a specific night, this word is your primary tool for feminine, distant prepositional reference.

Havia muita esperança naquela geração de jovens artistas.

Using naquela correctly requires a two-step mental check: first, ensure the noun is feminine; second, ensure the object is distant. In Portuguese, the preposition em undergoes a transformation when it meets a demonstrative. Em + aquela = naquela. This is consistent across all demonstratives starting with 'a' (aquela, aquele, aquilo). When you want to say 'in that house' (where the house is across the street), you say naquela casa. If the house were right next to you, you might say nesta casa.

Time References: When talking about the past, naquela is the standard choice for feminine time units. 'Naquela semana' (in that week), 'naquela tarde' (on that afternoon), 'naquela época' (in those times/at that time).

Tudo era mais simples naquela época da nossa infância.

Another crucial aspect is its use with verbs that require the preposition em. Verbs like morar (to live), estar (to be), acreditar (to believe), and pensar (to think) often trigger the use of naquela. For instance, 'Eu acredito naquela ideia' (I believe in that idea). Here, 'ideia' is feminine, and the speaker is treating the idea as something established or distant from their immediate current thought process.

Você deixou as chaves naquela mesa lá no fundo?

Geographical Use: When discussing cities or countries (if they are feminine), use naquela. 'Naquela França dos anos 20' (In that France of the 20s). Note that most cities in Portuguese don't take articles, but when qualified by a demonstrative, the contraction is used.

In formal writing, naquela maintains its structure. Unlike some informal contractions (like 'pra' for 'para'), naquela is the standard for both a PhD thesis and a casual text message. It is grammatically robust. When you are describing a scene in a story, naquela provides the 'camera angle'—it tells the reader that the object of focus is not within the immediate reach of the characters.

O segredo estava escondido naquela gaveta trancada.

In the real world, naquela is a staple of oral storytelling and directions. If you are walking through a city like Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro, you will hear people say, 'Vire naquela rua ali' (Turn in that street there). The addition of 'ali' (there) often reinforces the distance implied by naquela. It is a word that requires a certain level of physical or mental pointing. You won't hear it used for things the speaker is holding; for that, they would use 'nesta'.

A gente se divertia tanto naquela época da faculdade, não é?

You will also encounter naquela frequently in Portuguese music, particularly in genres like Fado or Bossa Nova, where themes of distance, memory, and nostalgia are prevalent. Songwriters use naquela to refer to a 'distant' love or a 'distant' place that exists only in memory. It carries a poetic weight that 'nessa' (near you) simply doesn't have. It separates the 'now' from the 'then' or the 'here' from the 'there'.

In news broadcasts, reporters use naquela when referring to locations far from the studio. 'A situação naquela região da fronteira continua tensa' (The situation in that border region remains tense). Here, the distance is geographical. By using naquela, the reporter creates a professional distance between the studio and the event being described. It is also used in sports commentary: 'O jogador chutou a bola naquela direção' (The player kicked the ball in that direction).

Eu vi um vulto passando naquela janela do andar de cima.

Finally, in the workplace, you might hear it during presentations or meetings when referring to data from a previous period or a distant branch office. 'Houve um aumento nas vendas naquela unidade de negócio' (There was an increase in sales in that business unit). It helps clarify which specific unit is being discussed without needing to repeat the name constantly, provided the context of 'distance' (perhaps a branch in another city) is established.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with naquela is failing to distinguish between the different levels of 'that'. Because English only has one word for 'that', learners often default to nessa (em + essa) for everything. However, nessa is used for things near the person you are talking to. If you use nessa to refer to a house three blocks away, a native speaker will feel a slight linguistic 'itch' because you should have used naquela.

Gender Mismatch: Using 'naquela' with masculine nouns. For example, 'naquela carro' is wrong; it must be 'naquele carro'. Always match the ending 'a' with feminine nouns.
Uncontracted Forms: Saying 'em aquela'. While technically understandable, it sounds extremely robotic. In Portuguese, contractions are mandatory for natural fluency.

Errado: Eu moro em aquela casa.
Correto: Eu moro naquela casa.

Another common error is the confusion between naquela and daquela. While both involve the demonstrative aquela, naquela means 'in that', while daquela (de + aquela) means 'of/from that'. If you want to say 'I like that girl', you use daquela (Gosto daquela menina), but if you want to say 'I saw a problem in that girl's logic', you use naquela (Vi um problema naquela lógica).

Lastly, learners sometimes forget to pluralize. If you are talking about 'those' distant streets, you must use naquelas ruas. Using the singular naquela with a plural noun is a common slip-up that immediately signals a lack of agreement. Always ensure that the 'a' or 'as' at the end of the contraction matches the number of the noun it describes.

To master naquela, you must compare it to its siblings in the demonstrative family. The primary alternatives are nesta and nessa. Understanding the 'Distance Ladder' is the best way to choose the right word. Nesta is 'in this' (right here), nessa is 'in that' (near you), and naquela is 'in that' (way over there). In many regions of Brazil, the distinction between nessa and nesta is blurring, but naquela remains distinct because it always implies significant distance.

Naquela vs. Ali/Lá: 'Naquela' is a contraction of a preposition and a pronoun. 'Ali' and 'Lá' are adverbs of place. You often use them together: 'Naquela casa ali'. You cannot use 'ali' to mean 'in that'.
Naquela vs. Naquilo: Use 'naquela' for feminine nouns (house, street). Use 'naquilo' for abstract 'that thing' which has no gender or is unknown.

Compare:
1. Ponha o livro nesta mesa (here by me).
2. Ponha o livro nessa mesa (there by you).
3. Ponha o livro naquela mesa (far from both).

Another alternative in very informal Brazilian Portuguese is simply using 'em' followed by the name of the place, but this loses the 'that' specificity. If you want to say 'in that one', naquela is irreplaceable. In some literary contexts, you might find the uncontracted 'em aquela' used for specific poetic emphasis, but this is rare and should be avoided by learners until they reach C2 levels of stylistic experimentation.

Finally, consider the masculine and plural forms: naquele (masculine singular), naquelas (feminine plural), and naqueles (masculine plural). All follow the same logic of distance. If you are talking about a distant park (parque - masculine), you must switch to naquele. Mastering the whole set allows you to navigate spatial and temporal references with the precision of a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O erro foi identificado naquela seção do relatório."

Neutral

"Eu deixei minha bolsa naquela cadeira."

Informal

"Ah, eu estou naquela de mudar de emprego."

Child friendly

"Olha o passarinho naquela árvore alta!"

Slang

"O show foi naquela pegada monstra."

Fun Fact

The 'aquela' part of the word comes from the Latin 'ecce', a word used to draw attention to something, which is why it implies distance—you have to look 'over there' to see it.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nɐ.ˈkɛ.lɐ/

US /nə.ˈkɛ.lə/

The stress is on the second syllable: na-QUE-la.

Rhymes With

amarela janela capela ela tela vela panela magrela

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'que' as 'kway' instead of 'keh'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Making the final 'a' too long (it should be short and neutral).
Nasalizing the first 'a' too much because of the 'n'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'naquela' (nasal vs non-nasal).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'em' and 'aquela'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the contraction and gender agreement.

Speaking 4/5

Natural flow requires automatic use of the contraction.

Listening 3/5

Can be fast, but the 'qu' sound is distinct.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

em aquela esta essa na

Learn Next

naquele naquilo daquela àquela

Advanced

deixis demonstrative pronouns prepositional contractions

Grammar to Know

Contraction of 'em' with demonstratives

em + aquela = naquela

Gender agreement

naquela casa (fem) vs naquele carro (masc)

Number agreement

naquela rua (sing) vs naquelas ruas (plur)

Spatial distance (3rd degree)

Use 'aquela' for things far from speaker and listener.

Temporal distance

Use 'naquela' for distant past periods.

Examples by Level

Eu moro naquela casa branca.

I live in that white house.

Naquela = em + aquela (feminine singular).

O livro está naquela mesa lá no canto.

The book is on that table over there in the corner.

Use 'lá' to emphasize distance with 'naquela'.

Ela trabalha naquela escola.

She works in that school.

Feminine noun 'escola' matches 'naquela'.

Tem um gato naquela árvore.

There is a cat in that tree.

Preposition 'em' becomes 'n' in the contraction.

Nós entramos naquela loja.

We entered in that shop.

The verb 'entrar' often takes 'em'.

O sol brilha naquela montanha.

The sun shines on that mountain.

Spatial distance is key here.

Eu vi você naquela foto.

I saw you in that photo.

Photo (foto) is feminine in Portuguese.

Eles estão naquela sala.

They are in that room.

Sala is a feminine noun.

Naquela época, não tínhamos internet.

At that time, we didn't have internet.

Temporal distance (past).

Eu dormi muito bem naquela noite.

I slept very well on that night.

Referring to a specific night in the past.

O que você viu naquela caixa?

What did you see in that box?

Caixa is feminine.

Nós viajamos naquela semana de feriado.

We traveled in that holiday week.

Specific week in the past.

Há muitas flores naquela praça.

There are many flowers in that square.

Praça is feminine.

Eu perdi minha chave naquela rua.

I lost my key in that street.

Rua is feminine.

Ela se sentiu feliz naquela tarde.

She felt happy on that afternoon.

Tarde is a feminine noun.

Onde você estava naquela hora?

Where were you at that hour/time?

Referring to a specific point in time.

Havia algo estranho naquela conversa.

There was something strange in that conversation.

Abstract usage of 'naquela'.

Eu não acredito naquela história que ele contou.

I don't believe in that story he told.

Verb 'acreditar' + em.

Naquela situação, era difícil decidir.

In that situation, it was difficult to decide.

Abstract feminine noun 'situação'.

Tudo mudou naquela pequena vila.

Everything changed in that small village.

Setting a narrative scene.

Fiquei surpreso com a coragem naquela mulher.

I was surprised by the courage in that woman.

Metaphorical 'in' referring to a person's qualities.

Naquela perspectiva, o problema parece menor.

In that perspective, the problem seems smaller.

Conceptual distance.

Encontramos paz naquela ilha deserta.

We found peace in that deserted island.

Island (ilha) is feminine.

Não havia luz naquela parte do prédio.

There was no light in that part of the building.

Parte is feminine.

A solução reside naquela cláusula do contrato.

The solution lies in that clause of the contract.

Formal/Technical usage.

Naquela conjuntura econômica, o risco era alto.

In that economic situation, the risk was high.

Advanced abstract noun 'conjuntura'.

O autor foca naquela temática específica.

The author focuses on that specific theme.

Thematic (temática) used as a feminine noun.

Percebi uma mudança de tom naquela carta.

I noticed a change of tone in that letter.

Analyzing a distant text.

Naquela fase da vida, buscamos estabilidade.

At that stage of life, we seek stability.

Life stage as a feminine distance.

A beleza reside naquela simplicidade.

Beauty resides in that simplicity.

Abstract feminine noun 'simplicidade'.

Confio plenamente naquela estratégia de marketing.

I fully trust in that marketing strategy.

Strategy (estratégia) is feminine.

Naquela instância, a lei foi aplicada rigorosamente.

In that instance, the law was applied strictly.

Formal legal context.

Há uma melancolia intrínseca naquela melodia.

There is an intrinsic melancholy in that melody.

Literary analysis.

Naquela imensidão azul, sentia-se pequeno.

In that blue immensity, he felt small.

Poetic use of 'naquela' for the sea/sky.

A verdade estava velada naquela ironia fina.

The truth was veiled in that subtle irony.

Abstract literary device.

Naquela atmosfera de incerteza, ninguém agia.

In that atmosphere of uncertainty, no one acted.

Complex abstract setting.

O filósofo mergulhou naquela questão existencial.

The philosopher delved into that existential question.

Questão is feminine.

Naquela obra-prima, cada detalhe importa.

In that masterpiece, every detail matters.

Obra-prima (masterpiece) is feminine.

A resposta talvez esteja naquela entrelinha.

The answer might be in that subtext (between the lines).

Entrelinha is a feminine noun.

Naquela sucessão de eventos, o acaso reinou.

In that succession of events, chance reigned.

Complex temporal sequence.

Reside naquela premissa toda a falácia do argumento.

The entire fallacy of the argument resides in that premise.

Academic/Philosophical precision.

Naquela dialética, os opostos se fundem.

In that dialectic, opposites merge.

High-level philosophical discourse.

O vício de forma naquela sentença anulou o processo.

The formal defect in that sentence (legal) annulled the trial.

Legal terminology (sentença).

Naquela efemeridade, encontrou o eterno.

In that ephemerality, he found the eternal.

Poetic/Metaphysical contrast.

A gênese do conflito estava naquela disparidade.

The genesis of the conflict lay in that disparity.

Historical/Sociological analysis.

Naquela tessitura social, as tensões eram visíveis.

In that social fabric, the tensions were visible.

Sophisticated sociological metaphor.

O brilho empalideceu naquela penumbra fúnebre.

The glow faded in that funereal gloom.

Gothic/Literary style.

Naquela idiossincrasia, revelava-se o gênio.

In that idiosyncrasy, the genius revealed himself.

Advanced character description.

Common Collocations

naquela época

naquela noite

naquela rua

naquela cidade

naquela situação

naquela hora

naquela direção

naquela mesa

naquela fase

naquela tarde

Common Phrases

Naquela de...

— An informal way to say 'In that mood of' or 'With that intention of'.

Eu fui na festa naquela de conhecer gente nova.

Nem naquela, nem nesta.

— Meaning 'not in this way, nor that way' or 'not at all'.

Ele não aceitou o acordo nem naquela, nem nesta condição.

Naquela base.

— Slang for 'roughly' or 'more or less' in certain contexts.

O preço vai ser naquela base de sempre.

Naquela altura.

— At that point in time or at that stage.

Naquela altura, já era tarde demais para voltar.

Sempre naquela.

— Always in that same situation or routine.

Ele vive sempre naquela de reclamar da vida.

Naquela mesma hora.

— At that very same time.

O telefone tocou naquela mesma hora.

Tudo naquela.

— Everything in that (specific thing).

Coloquei tudo naquela mala grande.

Naquela vibe.

— Modern slang for 'In that vibe' or 'In that mood'.

A festa estava naquela vibe relaxada.

Naquela janela de tempo.

— In that window of time.

Precisamos agir naquela janela de tempo específica.

Perdido naquela.

— Lost in that (thought/situation).

Ele ficou perdido naquela ideia fixa.

Often Confused With

naquela vs nessa

Nessa is 'in that' (near you), while naquela is 'in that' (far from both).

naquela vs daquela

Daquela is 'of that' (de + aquela), while naquela is 'in that' (em + aquela).

naquela vs àquela

Àquela is 'to that' (a + aquela), used with verbs like 'go to'.

Idioms & Expressions

"estar naquela"

— To be in 'that' state of mind, usually a difficult or indecisive one.

Eu estou naquela: não sei se vou ou se fico.

informal

"viver naquela"

— To live in a certain way or under a certain constant condition.

Eles vivem naquela de economizar cada centavo.

informal

"naquela de sempre"

— In the same old situation or routine.

Como vai o trabalho? Ah, naquela de sempre.

informal

"cair naquela"

— To fall for 'that' trick or to end up in that predictable situation.

Não acredito que você caiu naquela conversa dele!

informal

"dar naquela"

— To result in that (usually negative) outcome.

Eu sabia que ia dar naquela confusão.

informal

"ficar naquela"

— To remain in a state of hesitation.

Ficamos naquela por horas antes de decidir.

informal

"ir naquela"

— To follow that suggestion or trend.

Não vá naquela, é uma furada!

informal

"nessas e naquelas"

— Through these and those (various) situations.

Nessas e naquelas, acabamos perdendo o trem.

informal

"bater naquela tecla"

— To keep insisting on that same point (feminine 'tecla' = key).

Ele continua batendo naquela tecla do aumento.

idiomatic

"naquela pegada"

— In that style or with that intensity.

O treino hoje foi naquela pegada forte.

slang

Easily Confused

naquela vs naquilo

Both start with 'naqu-'.

Naquilo is neuter (unnamed thing), naquela is feminine (specific noun).

Não mexa naquilo! (That thing). Não mexa naquela caixa! (That box).

naquela vs naquele

Gender variation.

Naquele is for masculine nouns, naquela is for feminine.

Naquele carro. Naquela moto.

naquela vs nesta

Spatial proximity.

Nesta is 'in this' (here), naquela is 'in that' (there).

Nesta sala onde estou. Naquela sala onde eles estão.

naquela vs ela

Ending sounds similar.

Ela is 'she', naquela is 'in that'.

Ela está naquela casa.

naquela vs naquela-lo

Non-existent form.

Learners try to combine object pronouns with it. You don't.

Correct: Vi-a naquela rua.

Sentence Patterns

Eu estou naquela [place].

Eu estou naquela loja.

Naquela [time], eu [verb].

Naquela época, eu estudava muito.

Não acredito naquela [abstract noun].

Não acredito naquela promessa.

O que você viu naquela [object]?

O que você viu naquela pintura?

Tudo depende naquela [condition].

Tudo depende naquela cláusula.

Naquela [circumstance], agimos rápido.

Naquela conjuntura, agimos rápido.

Reside naquela [nuance] a beleza.

Reside naquela melancolia a beleza.

Naquela [complex concept], o ser se revela.

Naquela idiossincrasia, o ser se revela.

Word Family

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Eu moro em aquela casa. → Eu moro naquela casa.
In Portuguese, the contraction of 'em' with demonstratives is mandatory for natural speech. 'Em aquela' sounds unnatural.
Eu vi ele naquela carro. → Eu vi ele naquele carro.
'Carro' is a masculine noun, so it must use the masculine contraction 'naquele', not 'naquela'.
Eu gosto naquela menina. → Eu gosto daquela menina.
The verb 'gostar' requires the preposition 'de', not 'em'. Therefore, 'de + aquela' becomes 'daquela'.
Naquela ruas são bonitas. → Naquelas ruas são bonitas.
The demonstrative must agree in number with the plural noun 'ruas'.
Use 'naquela' for something you are holding. → Use 'nesta' for something you are holding.
'Naquela' is for things far away. Using it for something in your hand is a spatial error.

Tips

Gender Check

Always check the noun gender! 'Naquela' is only for feminine nouns. If you're unsure, look up the word in a dictionary first.

The Distance Rule

Use 'naquela' for things that are far away from both you and your listener. If you can't reach it, it's probably 'naquela'.

Past Tense Narratives

When telling a story about your childhood, 'naquela época' is your best friend. It sets a clear scene in the distant past.

Natural Flow

Never use 'em aquela'. Even if you are speaking slowly, use the contraction. It's how the language is built to sound.

Pluralize

Don't forget the 's'! If you're talking about multiple things, use 'naquelas'. It's a common mistake to leave it singular.

Identify the 'KEH'

Train your ear to hear the 'keh' sound. It distinguishes 'naquela' from 'nesta' or 'nessa' which have 'eh' or 'eh-sah' sounds.

The 'Mood' Usage

In Brazil, 'estar naquela' is a great way to describe being in a specific mood or situation. It makes you sound very native.

Clarity in Text

Use 'naquela' to refer back to a feminine noun mentioned earlier in your text to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity.

Point Mentally

When you use 'naquela', imagine you are pointing at something on the horizon. This mental image helps reinforce the 'distal' nature of the word.

Contrast with Nessa

Practice saying 'nessa' for things near your friend and 'naquela' for things far away. This contrast is the heart of Portuguese demonstratives.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'N' for 'iN' and 'AQUELA' for 'that far away girl'. Naquela = iN that far away feminine thing.

Visual Association

Imagine pointing a long finger at a distant pink house. The distance is the 'aquela' and you are standing 'in' (na) the memory of it.

Word Web

em aquela distância passado feminino lugar época situação

Challenge

Try to use 'naquela' three times today: once for a place you see far away, once for a time in your childhood, and once for a situation you remember.

Word Origin

Derived from the Vulgar Latin contraction of 'in' (preposition) and 'ecce illa' (behold that one). In Old Portuguese, this evolved into 'em aquela', which eventually fused into the modern 'naquela'.

Original meaning: Literally 'in that one over there'.

Romance (Indo-European)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral grammatical term.

English speakers struggle because they only have 'that'. They must learn to 'point' mentally with their words in Portuguese.

The song 'Naquela Mesa' by Nelson Gonçalves, a famous Brazilian song about a father's empty chair. Classical Portuguese literature often uses 'naquela' to establish the setting of historical novels. Commonly found in Fado lyrics to describe distant lands or past loves.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving Directions

Vire naquela rua.
O prédio fica naquela esquina.
Siga naquela direção.
Pare naquela casa azul.

Telling Stories

Naquela época...
Naquela noite fria...
Tudo começou naquela viagem.
Naquela tarde de domingo.

Locating Items

Está naquela gaveta.
Coloque naquela caixa.
Procure naquela prateleira.
Esqueci naquela loja.

Expressing Beliefs

Acredito naquela ideia.
Confio naquela pessoa.
Pensei naquela proposta.
Foquei naquela solução.

Discussing Situations

Naquela situação...
Naquela circunstância...
Naquela conjuntura...
Naquela hipótese...

Conversation Starters

"O que você costumava fazer naquela época da escola?"

"Você já morou naquela rua onde tem o mercado novo?"

"Você acredita naquela história que saiu no jornal hoje?"

"O que você faria naquela situação se fosse comigo?"

"Você se lembra do que aconteceu naquela noite de Natal?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma memória importante que aconteceu naquela sua cidade natal.

Como era a sua rotina naquela época em que você não trabalhava?

Descreva um objeto que você deixou naquela casa onde morava antigamente.

Pense em uma decisão difícil: o que mudou na sua vida naquela situação?

Imagine o seu futuro: o que você espera encontrar naquela fase da vida?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, 'em aquela' is grammatically correct as the sum of its parts, but in practice, it is never used in modern spoken or written Portuguese. It sounds very unnatural and robotic. You should always use the contraction 'naquela' to sound fluent and follow standard language rules.

Use 'nessa' when the object is near the person you are talking to (second degree of distance). Use 'naquela' when the object is far from both of you (third degree of distance). For example, if your friend is holding a box, say 'nessa caixa'. If the box is across the street, say 'naquela caixa'.

Yes, it is very common for time. 'Naquela época' means 'in that era' or 'at that time' in the past. It is the standard way to refer to distant past periods. You wouldn't use 'nesta época' unless you were talking about the current time you are living in.

The masculine version is 'naquele'. You must use 'naquele' for masculine nouns like 'carro' (car), 'livro' (book), or 'parque' (park). For example: 'naquele carro' (in that car). The plural masculine is 'naqueles'.

Yes, 'naquela' must agree in number with the noun. If you are talking about 'those streets' (ruas), you must use 'naquelas'. For example: 'Eu morava naquelas ruas' (I used to live in those streets). Agreement is a key part of Portuguese grammar.

It can only refer to a person if you are using 'em' in a metaphorical sense, like 'I see courage in that woman' (Vejo coragem naquela mulher). However, to simply say 'I like that woman', you would use 'daquela' (Gosto daquela mulher) because the verb 'gostar' takes the preposition 'de'.

It is neutral and used in all registers. Whether you are writing a legal document, a newspaper article, or a text message to a friend, 'naquela' is the correct and expected form. It is not considered slang, although it can be used in slangy expressions.

'Naquilo' is the neuter contraction of 'em + aquilo'. It is used for 'in that' when you don't name the object or it has no gender. For example, 'O que tem naquilo?' (What is in that?). 'Naquela' is only for specific feminine nouns.

The 'que' is pronounced like 'keh' in 'kettle'. The 'u' is silent. It is a common mistake for English speakers to try and pronounce the 'u' like 'kway', but in Portuguese 'que' and 'qui' usually have a silent 'u'.

Yes, 'naquela' covers 'in that', 'on that', and 'at that' because the preposition 'em' encompasses all those meanings in Portuguese. For example, 'naquela mesa' can mean 'on that table' or 'at that table' depending on the context.