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A2 noun 9 min read

par

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips par in 30 Seconds

Explanation par in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'par' is one of the first nouns you learn to describe groups of objects. You will primarily use it with clothing. It is important to remember that 'par' is masculine (um par). You will use it in simple sentences like 'Eu tenho um par de sapatos' (I have a pair of shoes). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the abstract meanings; just focus on using it for things that come in twos, like socks, earrings, or shoes. Always remember to use the preposition 'de' after 'par' when you are saying what the pair consists of. This is a basic building block for shopping and describing your belongings.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'par' to include people and basic math. You learn that 'par' can mean a partner in a dance or a game. You also start to recognize 'números pares' (even numbers) when learning about addresses or basic arithmetic. You should be comfortable pluralizing the word to 'pares' (e.g., 'dois pares de meias'). You will also begin to distinguish 'par' from 'casal' (romantic couple), ensuring you use 'par' for functional pairings. This level is about moving from simple objects to more social and structured uses of the word.

By B1, you are expected to use 'par' in more idiomatic and abstract ways. You will encounter expressions like 'estar a par de' (to be informed about) and 'de par em par' (wide open). You might use 'par' to describe something that is unique by calling it 'sem par' (without equal). Your understanding of the word should now include its use in professional settings, such as a 'parceiro' (which comes from the same root) or a 'par' in a business context. You should also be able to use it in the context of games and sports (e.g., a pair in poker or a doubles pair in tennis).

At the B2 level, 'par' becomes a tool for more precise communication. You use it to discuss social parity, peer review ('revisão por pares'), and economic concepts like 'ao par' (at par value). You are expected to understand the nuance between 'par', 'dupla', and 'casal' in almost all contexts. You can use 'par' metaphorically to describe a perfect match in terms of quality or compatibility. Your command of the word allows you to read more complex texts where 'par' might refer to social status or historical peerage systems.

At the C1 level, you use 'par' with the sophistication of a near-native speaker. You understand its role in formal literature and academic discourse. You might use 'par excellence' (often kept in French but understood in Portuguese context) or describe something as 'incomparável' by using 'não tem par'. You are comfortable with all idiomatic expressions and can use 'par' to discuss complex mathematical properties or philosophical dualities. You can also navigate the subtle differences in usage between European and Brazilian Portuguese regarding this word.

At the C2 level, 'par' is used with total mastery, including archaic or very formal uses found in classical literature. You can discuss the etymological roots from Latin and how they influenced words like 'paridade', 'disparidade', and 'comparação'. You can use 'par' in high-level legal or diplomatic contexts (e.g., 'entre pares'). Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing 'par' to convey subtle shades of meaning in poetry, technical writing, and spontaneous high-level conversation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

par in 30 Seconds

Par primarily means 'pair' for objects like shoes and socks, always used as a masculine noun 'um par'.
It signifies 'even' in mathematics (número par) and is the opposite of 'ímpar' (odd).
It refers to partners in dance or games, distinct from 'casal' which usually implies a romantic couple.
Common idioms include 'estar a par de' (to be informed) and 'de par em par' (wide open).

The Portuguese word par is a versatile masculine noun that primarily translates to 'pair' or 'couple' in English. At its core, it represents the concept of duality—two distinct entities that are linked by function, appearance, or social relationship. In the physical world, it is the standard term for items that come in twos. For a language learner, mastering 'par' is essential because it moves beyond simple counting to describe the relationship between objects.

Physical Objects: Used for items that are functionally useless without their counterpart, such as socks (meias), shoes (sapatos), or gloves (luvas).

Preciso de um novo par de sapatos para a festa.

Beyond the physical, 'par' is deeply embedded in social and cultural contexts. In the world of dance—whether it is the Samba de Gafieira in Brazil or the Vira in Portugal—the 'par' is the fundamental unit of the dance floor. It refers to two people dancing together. While 'casal' is often used for romantic couples, 'par' is more functional or situational. For example, in a competition, you have a 'par de dança', which might not be a romantic 'casal'. In mathematics, 'par' takes on a technical role. A 'número par' is an even number, while a 'número ímpar' is an odd number. This distinction is vital for everything from street addresses (where one side of the street is often all even numbers) to statistical analysis.

Mathematical Use: O número dez é um número par.

Furthermore, 'par' can denote equality or peerage. In formal or literary contexts, 'estar ao par' means to be informed or up to date, similar to the English 'to be at par' or 'to be abreast of'. If something is 'sem par', it is peerless, unique, or unrivaled. This multifaceted nature makes 'par' a high-frequency word that appears in grocery stores, ballrooms, math textbooks, and news reports alike. Understanding the nuances of 'par' helps a learner navigate the balance between literal quantities and metaphorical relationships in Portuguese.

Using par correctly requires attention to prepositional structures and gender agreement. Since 'par' is a masculine noun, it is preceded by masculine articles: 'o par' (the pair) or 'um par' (a pair). When describing a pair of something, the preposition 'de' is almost always used.

Ela comprou um par de brincos de ouro.

One common grammatical point for English speakers is the pluralization. The plural of 'par' is 'pares'. Unlike English, where we might say 'two pair of shoes' (though 'two pairs' is standard), Portuguese strictly uses the plural form: 'dois pares de sapatos'.

Plural Construction: Tenho três pares de meias na mala.

When using 'par' to mean 'even' in mathematics, it functions as an adjective. In this case, it must agree with the noun it modifies. 'Números pares' (even numbers) or 'páginas pares' (even pages). Another important structure is 'ao par de', which means 'informed about' or 'aware of'. For example, 'Estou ao par da situação' (I am aware of the situation). This is a more sophisticated use of the word often found in business or formal correspondence. Additionally, 'de par em par' is a common idiomatic expression meaning 'wide open', usually referring to doors or windows.

A porta estava aberta de par em par.

When referring to people, 'par' is often followed by 'de' + the activity: 'meu par de dança' (my dance partner). If you are looking for a matching item, you might ask: 'Onde está o par desta meia?' (Where is the mate to this sock?). In this context, 'par' refers to the corresponding second item of the set.

Matching Items: Não consigo encontrar o par desta luva.

Mastering these patterns allows you to describe everything from your laundry to your social life with precision.

In daily life in Portuguese-speaking countries, you will encounter par in several specific environments. The most frequent is likely the retail environment. In clothing stores (lojas de roupa) or shoe stores (sapatarias), the word is ubiquitous. Shop assistants will ask if you want to try on a 'par de sapatos' or if you need a 'par de luvas'.

Este par está em promoção hoje.

Another common setting is the social dance scene. In Brazil, for example, Forró and Samba are social dances where people frequently switch 'pares'. You might hear someone say, 'Procure o seu par' (Find your partner) before a song starts. This usage is strictly about the partnership in the dance, regardless of whether the people are a romantic couple.

Social Context: Na aula de dança, trocamos de par a cada cinco minutos.

In the classroom or in administrative settings, 'par' appears when dealing with numbers. Teachers will instruct students to 'circular os números pares' (circle the even numbers). In address systems, especially in older cities like Porto or Rio de Janeiro, buildings on one side are 'lado par' and the other 'lado ímpar'. This is crucial when looking for an address. In sports, particularly tennis or padel, 'par' is used to describe doubles matches. You might hear 'um par de ases' in card games like Poker, referring to a pair of aces. In the news or business reports, you will hear 'ao par' when discussing exchange rates or stock values reaching equality. Finally, in romantic literature or music, 'o par ideal' (the ideal partner/match) is a common theme, emphasizing the spiritual or emotional compatibility between two people.

Eles formam um par perfeito na tela do cinema.

From the mundane task of sorting laundry to the excitement of a dance hall, 'par' is a word that organizes the world into manageable, symmetrical units.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake is confusing par with casal. While both can translate to 'couple', they are not always interchangeable. 'Casal' almost always implies a romantic or married couple, or a male and female pair of animals. 'Par' is more generic and functional. If you refer to two friends as a 'casal', you are implying they are dating. If you refer to a husband and wife as a 'par', it sounds a bit technical or focused on their role (like a dance pair).

Par vs. Casal: Correct: 'Um casal de namorados.' (A romantic couple). Correct: 'Um par de sapatos.' (A pair of shoes). Incorrect: 'Um casal de sapatos.'

Another mistake is using 'par' to mean 'some' or 'a few', which is common in English ('a couple of days'). In Portuguese, 'um par de dias' literally means exactly two days. To say 'a few days', you should use 'alguns dias' or 'um par de' followed by a plural, but it is much less common than in English and can lead to confusion.

Wrong: Vou ficar lá por um par de semanas (if you mean 3 or 4 weeks). Right: Vou ficar lá por algumas semanas.

Gender agreement is another pitfall. Even if the items in the pair are feminine, the word 'par' remains masculine. For example, 'meia' (sock) is feminine, but you say 'um par (masculine) de meias'. Beginners often try to say 'uma par', which is incorrect.

Gender Error: Incorrect: 'Uma par de meias.' Correct: 'Um par de meias.'

Lastly, learners sometimes forget the plural 'pares'. When talking about multiple pairs, the 's' is mandatory. Saying 'dois par' is a common spoken error for learners that sounds uneducated to native ears. Always ensure 'dois pares', 'três pares', etc. Finally, be careful with the expression 'ao par'. Learners sometimes confuse it with 'a par', which in some dialects is used interchangeably, but 'ao par' or 'a par' both require the preposition 'de' to mean 'informed about'. Using it without 'de' or with the wrong preposition can change the meaning or make the sentence nonsensical.

To enrich your Portuguese vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to par but carry different nuances. The most important alternative is dupla. While 'par' often refers to objects or romantic/dance partners, 'dupla' is frequently used for teams, musical duos, or two people working together in a professional or academic context.

Dupla vs. Par: A 'dupla sertaneja' is a country music duo. A 'dupla de policiais' is a pair of police partners. You wouldn't usually use 'par' here.

Another related word is casal, which we discussed previously. Remember: 'casal' = romantic/married/breeding pair.

Aquele casal viaja muito.

For groups of two that are specifically matched or joined, you might use parelha. This is a bit more old-fashioned or specific, often used for a pair of horses pulling a carriage or, metaphorically, two people who are very similar (often in a negative or mischievous way). In mathematical or abstract contexts, you might use duas unidades if you want to be very literal. If you are talking about a set of two things that aren't necessarily a 'pair' but just happened to be together, conjunto de dois might be used. For 'even' as in 'even surface', the word is liso or plano, not 'par'.

Comparison Table

Par: General objects, dance partners, even numbers.
Casal: Romantic couple.
Dupla: Professional/Team duo.
Parelha: Matched set (often animals or specific objects).

If you want to say 'even' in the sense of 'balanced', use equilibrado. If you want to say 'even' meaning 'level', use nivelado. Understanding these distinctions prevents you from sounding like you are translating literally from English and helps you sound more like a native speaker who understands the specific 'flavor' of each word.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O relatório está ao par das exigências internacionais."

Neutral

"Comprei um par de sapatos novos."

Informal

"E aí, cadê seu par pra festa?"

Child friendly

"O passarinho encontrou um par para fazer o ninho."

Slang

"Eles são um par de vasos, não fazem nada!"

Fun Fact

The word 'par' is the ancestor of English words like 'peer', 'pair', 'parity', and even 'umpire' (originally 'non-per', meaning the odd one out/not part of the pair).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /paɾ/

US /paɹ/

Single syllable word; stress is on the only vowel.

Rhymes With

mar dar lar bar estar falar lugar olhar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like an English 'r' in all positions.
Making the 'a' sound too much like 'cat' (it should be open).
Treating it as two syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to the English cognate 'pair'.

Writing 2/5

Simple, but remember the plural 'pares' and masculine gender.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct pronunciation of the final 'r'.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dois sapatos meias número

Learn Next

ímpar casal dupla parceiro

Advanced

paridade disparidade emparelhar

Grammar to Know

Masculine noun gender

O par (not A par).

Pluralization of monosyllables ending in 'r'

Par -> Pares.

Preposition 'de' after collective nouns

Um par DE sapatos.

Adjective agreement (uniform adjectives)

O número par / As páginas pares.

Contraction with articles

Do par (de + o), num par (em + um).

Examples by Level

Eu tenho um par de sapatos pretos.

I have a pair of black shoes.

Uses 'um par de' + plural noun.

Onde está o meu par de meias?

Where is my pair of socks?

Definite article 'o' with 'par'.

Ela comprou um par de brincos.

She bought a pair of earrings.

Simple past tense 'comprou'.

Um par de luvas é necessário no frio.

A pair of gloves is necessary in the cold.

Singular verb 'é' because 'par' is the subject.

Eu vi um par de pássaros no jardim.

I saw a pair of birds in the garden.

Indefinite article 'um'.

Você tem um par de óculos?

Do you have a pair of glasses?

In Portuguese, 'óculos' is always plural, but 'um par' is singular.

O par de sapatos é novo.

The pair of shoes is new.

Adjective 'novo' agrees with masculine 'par'.

Ele precisa de um par de chinelos.

He needs a pair of flip-flops.

Verb 'precisar' + preposition 'de'.

O número dois é um número par.

The number two is an even number.

Adjectival use of 'par' meaning 'even'.

Eles são um par de dança excelente.

They are an excellent dance pair.

Refers to a partnership, not necessarily romantic.

Preciso encontrar o par desta meia azul.

I need to find the mate to this blue sock.

'Par' as the matching counterpart.

O professor pediu para formar pares.

The teacher asked to form pairs.

Plural noun 'pares'.

No prédio, moro no lado par da rua.

In the building, I live on the even side of the street.

Standard way to describe address sides.

Ela tem dois pares de botas.

She has two pairs of boots.

Plural agreement 'dois pares'.

O par de namorados sentou no banco.

The couple (of boyfriend/girlfriend) sat on the bench.

Using 'par' with a specific relationship noun.

Nós somos o par perfeito para este projeto.

We are the perfect pair for this project.

Metaphorical use for teamwork.

Você está a par das novas regras?

Are you aware of the new rules?

Idiomatic expression 'a par de'.

A janela estava aberta de par em par.

The window was wide open.

Idiomatic expression 'de par em par'.

Ele é um talento sem par na música.

He is a peerless talent in music.

Expression 'sem par' meaning unique/unrivaled.

O par de ases ganhou a rodada de pôquer.

The pair of aces won the poker round.

Card game terminology.

Mantenha-me ao par de qualquer mudança.

Keep me informed of any change.

Imperative 'mantenha' + 'ao par de'.

Eles caminhavam de par em par pelo corredor.

They walked side by side down the hallway.

Expression 'de par em par' used for movement.

A moeda está quase ao par com o dólar.

The currency is almost at par with the dollar.

Financial context.

O documento foi revisado por um par.

The document was reviewed by a peer.

Academic/Professional peer review.

O sistema de justiça exige julgamento por seus pares.

The justice system requires trial by one's peers.

Social/Legal concept of 'peers'.

A paridade de gênero é um objetivo social.

Gender parity is a social goal.

Related word 'paridade'.

Eles formam uma parelha de malfeitores.

They form a pair of evildoers.

Use of 'parelha' for a matched set (often negative).

O valor nominal está ao par do valor de mercado.

The nominal value is at par with the market value.

Advanced economic terminology.

A beleza daquela paisagem é sem par.

The beauty of that landscape is unrivaled.

'Sem par' as a high-level descriptor.

É preciso estar a par das tendências globais.

It is necessary to be abreast of global trends.

Infinitive 'estar' in a formal structure.

A dupla de ataque marcou dois gols.

The attacking duo scored two goals.

Contrast with 'par' using 'dupla' for sports.

O par de forças resultou em equilíbrio.

The pair of forces resulted in equilibrium.

Scientific context.

A obra é um exemplo de elegância par excellence.

The work is an example of elegance par excellence.

Use of the French loan-phrase in Portuguese context.

O diplomata agiu como um par entre iguais.

The diplomat acted as a peer among equals.

Nuanced social hierarchy description.

A disparidade de rendimentos é preocupante.

The income disparity is worrying.

Related word 'disparidade' (lack of parity).

Sua erudição não encontra par nesta academia.

His erudition finds no equal in this academy.

Highly formal/literary use.

O regime de câmbio manteve-se ao par durante anos.

The exchange rate regime remained at par for years.

Technical macroeconomic usage.

Ele foi elevado à dignidade de Par do Reino.

He was elevated to the dignity of a Peer of the Realm.

Historical/Nobility context.

A investigação foi submetida a uma rigorosa revisão por pares.

The investigation was submitted to a rigorous peer review.

Standard academic terminology.

As portas da percepção abriram-se de par em par.

The doors of perception opened wide.

Literary/Metaphorical use of 'de par em par'.

A simetria bilateral implica a existência de órgãos em par.

Bilateral symmetry implies the existence of organs in pairs.

Biological/Scientific precision.

O vulto histórico permanece sem par na historiografia nacional.

The historical figure remains peerless in national historiography.

High-level academic discourse.

A paridade cambial é um pilar da estabilidade monetária.

Exchange rate parity is a pillar of monetary stability.

Economic theory terminology.

Eles moveram-se em um par de forças antagônicas.

They moved in a pair of antagonistic forces.

Philosophical/Physical metaphor.

A nobreza de espírito dele é algo sem par.

His nobility of spirit is something without equal.

Abstract moral description.

O autor utiliza o par binário para estruturar o romance.

The author uses the binary pair to structure the novel.

Literary criticism terminology.

A decisão foi tomada inter pares, sem influência externa.

The decision was made among peers, without external influence.

Latin phrase 'inter pares' used in high Portuguese.

O conceito de 'par' aqui transcende a mera numerologia.

The concept of 'pair' here transcends mere numerology.

Philosophical analysis.

Common Collocations

par de sapatos

número par

par de meias

par de dança

estar a par

de par em par

par de brincos

par perfeito

formar pares

sem par

Common Phrases

Ao par

— At par value (finance) or informed about something.

As ações estão ao par.

Par ou ímpar

— The game 'Odds or Evens' used to make decisions.

Vamos decidir no par ou ímpar.

Pares e nones

— An older way to say 'evens and odds' (mostly Portugal).

Eles brincavam de pares e nones.

Em par

— In a pair or as a couple.

Eles entraram em par.

Um par de vezes

— A couple of times (exactly twice or loosely a few).

Já fui lá um par de vezes.

Fazer par com

— To match with or be the partner of someone.

Ela vai fazer par com ele na dança.

Câmbio ao par

— Exchange rate at parity.

O câmbio está ao par.

Lado par

— The side of the street with even numbers.

A farmácia fica no lado par.

Par de luvas

— A pair of gloves.

Não esqueça seu par de luvas.

Pares da mesma espécie

— Peers of the same kind/species.

Animais procuram pares da mesma espécie.

Often Confused With

par vs casal

Casal is for romantic couples; par is for functional pairs.

par vs dupla

Dupla is for teams/partnerships; par is for items or dance partners.

par vs pai

Pai means father; par means pair. Pronunciation is different but beginners might trip.

Idioms & Expressions

"Estar a par de"

— To be fully informed or up to date about a situation.

Você está a par do que aconteceu ontem?

Neutral/Formal

"De par em par"

— Wide open (usually referring to doors, windows, or eyes).

Abriu as janelas de par em par para o sol entrar.

Neutral

"Sem par"

— Unique, unrivaled, or having no equal in quality.

Sua voz é um dom sem par.

Literary

"Pôr-se a par"

— To catch up on information or update oneself.

Preciso me pôr a par das novas tecnologias.

Neutral

"Correr de par"

— To run alongside or to be equal in progress.

A inflação e os juros correm de par.

Formal

"A par e passo"

— Side by side or step by step; simultaneously.

O desenvolvimento seguiu a par e passo com a pesquisa.

Formal

"Não ter par"

— To be incomparable or unique.

Essa comida não tem par no mundo todo.

Neutral

"Fazer par"

— To look good together or to complete a set.

Este vaso faz par com aquele ali.

Neutral

"Andar aos pares"

— To go around in pairs (often used for people or animals).

Nesta época, os pássaros andam aos pares.

Neutral

"Par de jarras"

— A derogatory or humorous term for two people who are always together but useless or decorative (mostly Portugal).

Eles parecem um par de jarras ali parados.

Informal

Easily Confused

par vs casal

Both mean 'couple' in English.

Casal is romantic or biological (male/female). Par is functional or mathematical.

O casal (husband/wife) comprou um par de sapatos.

par vs dupla

Both refer to two people.

Dupla is for a team working together. Par is for two people dancing or matching.

A dupla de detetives é boa.

par vs parelha

Rarely used, but means pair.

Parelha is usually for animals (horses) or matched sets of objects.

Uma parelha de bois.

par vs parceiro

Related root.

Parceiro is the individual person (the partner). Par is the unit of two.

Ele é meu parceiro no par de dança.

par vs peça

Sometimes people say 'a piece' of a pair.

Peça is one item. Par is the whole set of two.

Esta peça pertence a este par.

Sentence Patterns

Eu tenho um par de [noun].

Eu tenho um par de meias.

[Number] é um número par.

Quatro é um número par.

Eu estou a par de [subject].

Eu estou a par do problema.

A porta está aberta de par em par.

As janelas abriram de par em par.

Eles formam um par [adjective].

Eles formam um par imbatível.

Um talento sem par.

Ela possui uma voz sem par.

Revisão por pares.

O artigo passou por revisão por pares.

Any

Onde está o par de [noun]?

Onde está o par de luvas?

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Uma par de sapatos → Um par de sapatos
Par is a masculine noun regardless of what it describes.
Um par de pessoas → Um casal / Uma dupla
Using 'par' for people is limited to specific contexts like dancing; otherwise use casal or dupla.
Dois par de meias → Dois pares de meias
The noun 'par' must be pluralized to 'pares'.
Estou par da notícia → Estou a par da notícia
The idiom requires the preposition 'a' (or 'ao').
Um par de dias (meaning 3 days) → Alguns dias
In Portuguese, 'um par' usually means exactly two.

Tips

Gender Consistency

Always use 'um' or 'o' with 'par'. Don't let the gender of the items (like 'meias') confuse you.

Pair vs. Couple

Use 'par' for things and 'casal' for romance. This is the safest rule for beginners.

Dance Floor

In a dance context, everyone is a 'par'. It's a great way to meet people without implying romance.

Even Numbers

Remember 'par' for even and 'ímpar' for odd. Street numbers are usually split this way.

Stay Informed

Use 'Estou a par' instead of just 'Eu sei' to sound more advanced and professional.

Buying Shoes

Always ask for 'um par de [item]'. In Portuguese, you can't just say 'um sapatos'.

The Final R

Make sure to tap the 'r' at the end. It should be a quick flick of the tongue.

Plural Pairs

Don't forget the 'es' in 'pares'. 'Dois pares' is the only correct way to say two pairs.

Literature

If you see 'sem par', translate it as 'unrivaled' or 'unique' in your mind.

Think in Twos

Whenever you see symmetry, think of the word 'par'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pair' of 'Parties'. In Portuguese, a 'par' is just a 'pair' without the 'i'.

Visual Association

Imagine two identical shoes standing next to each other, forming a perfect 'par'.

Word Web

sapatos meias dança dois número parceiro igual casal

Challenge

Try to find five things in your room that come in a 'par' and name them in Portuguese.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'par, paris', meaning equal, alike, or matching.

Original meaning: Equality in status, quantity, or appearance.

Romance (Latin root).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but distinguish 'casal' from 'par' to avoid unintended romantic implications.

English uses 'couple' loosely for quantities (a couple of things), while Portuguese 'par' is usually strictly two.

O Par Perfeito (common movie title translation) Pares de França (historical/literary reference to the twelve peers of Charlemagne) Música 'Par' (various Brazilian songs)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

Quanto custa este par?
Tem outro par?
Quero um par de...
Este par é pequeno.

Math

Número par
Soma par
É par ou ímpar?
Sequência de pares

Social/Dance

Quem é seu par?
Vamos formar pares
Troca de par
Par de dança

News/Information

Estar a par
Pôr-se a par
Ficar a par
Manter a par

Home/Organization

Cadê o par?
Perdi o par
Pares de meias
Organizar em pares

Conversation Starters

"Você prefere números pares ou ímpares?"

"Quantos pares de sapatos você tem no armário?"

"Você está a par das últimas notícias de hoje?"

"Quem seria seu par ideal para uma competição de dança?"

"Você já jogou 'par ou ímpar' para decidir algo importante?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva o seu par de sapatos favorito e por que você o gosta.

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você precisou se pôr a par de um assunto novo rapidamente.

Você acha que as pessoas trabalham melhor sozinhas ou em par? Explique.

Descreva uma dupla ou par famoso que você admira.

O que significa para você ser um 'par perfeito' em uma amizade?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say 'um par de namorados', but 'um casal de namorados' is much more common. 'Par' sounds more like you are describing them as a unit in a specific context, like a party.

In most cases, yes. Unlike English where 'a couple of' can mean 3 or 4, in Portuguese 'um par' usually implies exactly two. For a vague small number, use 'alguns'.

It is always masculine (o par), even if you are talking about feminine objects like 'meias' (socks). You say 'um par de meias'.

You say 'par ou ímpar'. It's a very common way for children (and adults) to decide who goes first in a game.

It means to be informed or to know what is going on. For example: 'Estou a par da situação' means 'I am aware of the situation'.

The plural is 'pares'. For example: 'Eu comprei dois pares de sapatos'.

Yes, when describing numbers. 'Número par' (even number). As an adjective, it also pluralizes: 'números pares'.

They are often used interchangeably to mean 'informed', but 'ao par' is also used in finance to mean 'at face value'.

It means 'wide open'. It is usually used for doors or windows. 'A porta abriu de par em par'.

Yes, in the sense of 'peers'. In academic or professional settings, 'revisão por pares' means 'peer review'.