Preterite Tense In Portuguese

The preterite tense in Portuguese (Pretérito Perfeito) is used to express an action in the past that is completed, in this lesson we will talk about the conjugation of each type (-ar, -er and -ir) and give some examples.

Preterite Tense In Portuguese

As we’ve seen in the present tense lesson, there are three types of endings, and for regular verbs, they follow the following patterns:

Verbs that end with -ar

Example: Estudar (to study):

Example: Falar (to speak)

Verbs that end with -er

Example: aprender (to learn)

Example: comer (to eat)

Note: you can practice what you’ve learned here, and learn how to pronounce each of the words in our Memrise course here, don’t know how to use the platform or sign up? we’ve got you covered in this easy-to-follow tutorial here.

Verbs that end with -ir

Example: decidir (to decide)

Example: partir (to leave)

Some irregular verbs:

Ser and ir (to be and to go)

Ter (to have)

Vir (to come)

Fazer (to do)

Estar (to be)

Mastering the Preterite Tense in Portuguese Review

Key Areas to Review:

1. Regular Verb Conjugations: Familiarize yourself with the preterite endings for verbs ending in -ar, -er, and -ir. Pay attention to the differences in each person and number.
2. Irregular Verb Conjugations: Memorize the preterite conjugation for the common irregular verbs: ser, ir, ter, vir, fazer, and estar. These do not follow the regular patterns.
3. Practice: Use the example sentences in the article to practice forming sentences in the preterite. Try creating your own sentences using the verbs listed and others you find in a dictionary.

Short Answer Quiz:

1. What does the preterite tense in Portuguese express?
2. What are the preterite endings for verbs ending in -ar? Provide an example verb conjugated in the “eu” form.
3. What is different about the “nós” form of -ir verbs in the preterite tense?
4. Conjugate the verb “comer” (to eat) in the preterite tense for the pronoun “vocês”.
5. Which two common verbs share the same preterite tense conjugations for all pronouns?
6. Why is it important to learn the irregular verbs in the preterite tense specifically?
7. What is the preterite tense conjugation of the verb “ter” (to have) in the “ele/ela” form?
8. Conjugate the verb “decidir” (to decide) in the preterite tense for the pronoun “a gente”.
9. What is the preterite tense conjugation of the verb “fazer” (to do) in the “nós” form?

Answer Key:

1. The preterite tense in Portuguese expresses an action in the past that is completed.
2. The endings for -ar verbs are: -ei, -ou, -aste, -ou, -ou, -amos, -astes, -aram. Example: “Eu falei” (I spoke).
3. The “nós” form of -ir verbs in the preterite tense ends in “-imos,” unlike the other forms which end in “-iram.”
4. “Vocês comeram.”
5. The verbs “ser” (to be) and “ir” (to go) share the same preterite tense conjugations.
6. Irregular verbs don’t follow the regular conjugation patterns, making them essential to learn individually.
7. “Ele/Ela teve.”
8. “A gente decidiu.”
9. “Nós fizemos.”

Happy learning!

Oualid Cheddadi

Oualid Cheddadi is a language enthusiast who created Lingualid with the mission to inspire independent language learners worldwide, regardless of the language they are learning. The name “Lingualid” is derived from the Portuguese word for “language,” “língua,” and the last three letters of Oualid’s name, “Lid.”

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