50 Most Common Portuguese Verbs (With Conjugations)

If you’ve just started learning Portuguese, you’ll need to arm yourself with a wide array of words and phrases in order to communicate, and verbs are an important component of that essential vocabulary.

But what verbs should you learn first?

In this post, I’ll share 50 of the most common Portuguese verbs that you should learn ASAP!

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50 Most Common Portuguese Verbs

In this list, I’ll share the verb, its meaning, its present tense conjugations and an example sentence.

Note that “you” varies by country. In Brazil, você  (singular) and vocês (plural) are more commonly used. In Portugal, tu (singular) and vós (plural) are more common.

1. Ser (To be)

Used to describe fixed characteristics, like appearance.

Portuguese	English
Eu sou	I am
Tu és	You are (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela é	You are (formal, singular), He/She is
Nós somos	We are
Vós sois	You are (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas são	You are (formal, plural), They are

Example Sentence: Ele é brasileiro.  (He is Brazilian.)

2. Estar (To be)

Used to describe changeable characteristics, like location and feelings.

Portuguese	English
Eu estou	I am
Tu estás	You are (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela está	You are (formal, singular), He/She is
Nós estamos	We are
Vós estais	You are (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas estão	You are (formal, plural), They are

Example Sentence: Nós estamos bem.  (We are well.)

3. Poder (To be able)

Portuguese	English
Eu posso	I can
Tu podes	You can (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela pode	You can (formal, singular), He/She can
Nós podemos	We can
Vós podeis	You can (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas podem	You can (formal, plural), They can

Example Sentence: Eu posso fazer isso.  (I can do that.)

4. Parecer (To seem/appear)

Portuguese	English
Eu pareço	I seem/appear
Tu pareces	You seem/appear (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela parece	You seem/appear (formal, singular), He/She seems/appears
Nós parecemos	We seem/appear
Vós pareceis	You seem/appear (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas parecem	You seem/appear (formal, plural), They seem/appear

Example Sentence: Você parece simpático.  (You seem nice.)

5. Querer (To want)

Portuguese	English
Eu quero	I want
Tu queres	You want (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela quer	You want (formal, singular), He/She wants
Nós queremos	We want
Vós quereis	You want (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas querem	You want (formal, plural), They want

Example Sentence: Vocês querem bolo.  (You all want cake.)

6. Gostar (To like)

Portuguese	English
Eu gosto	I like
Tu gostas	You like (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela gosta	You like (formal, singular), He/She likes
Nós gostamos	We like
Vós gostais	You like (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas gostam	You like (formal, plural), They like

Example Sentence: Ela gosta de ciência.  (She likes science.)

7. Esperar (To wait, to expect, to hope)

Portuguese	English
Eu espero	I wait/expect/hope
Tu esperas	You wait/expect/hope (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela espera	You wait/expect/hope (formal, singular), He/She waits/expects/hopes
Nós esperamos	We wait/expect/hope
Vós esperais	You wait/expect/hope (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas esperam	You wait/expect/hope (formal, plural), They wait/expect/hope

Example Sentence: Eu espero poder ir.  (I hope I can go.)

8. Amar (To love)

Portuguese	English
Eu amo	I love
Tu amas	You love (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela ama	You love (formal, singular), He/She loves
Nós amamos	We love
Vós amais	You love (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas amam	You love (formal, plural), They love

Example Sentence: Eu te amo.  (I love you.)

9. Sentir (To feel)

Portuguese	English
Eu sinto	I feel
Tu sentes	You feel (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela sente	You feel (formal, singular), He/She feels
Nós sentimos	We feel
Vós sentis	You feel (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas sentem	You feel (formal, plural), They feel

Example Sentence: Ele se sente feliz.  (He feels happy.)

10. Saber (To know)

Used when discussing facts, knowledge and skills.

Portuguese	English
Eu sei	I know
Tu sabes	You know (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela sabe	You know (formal, singular), He/She knows
Nós sabemos	We know
Vós sabeis	You know (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas sabem	You know (formal, plural), They know

Example Sentence: Você sabe a resposta?  (Do you know the answer?)

11. Conhecer (To know)

Used when discussing people, places or things, but not with solid facts or knowledge.

Portuguese	English
Eu conheço	I know
Tu conheces	You know (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela conhece	You know (formal, singular), He/She knows
Nós conhecemos	We know
Vós conheceis	You know (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas conhecem	You know (formal, plural), They know

Example Sentence: Eu o conheço.  (I know him.)

12. Pensar (To think, to reflect)

Portuguese	English
Eu penso	I think/reflect
Tu pensas	You think/reflect (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela pensa	You think/reflect (formal, singular), He/She thinks/reflects
Nós pensamos	We think/reflect
Vós pensais	You think/reflect (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas pensam	You think/reflect (formal, plural), They think/reflect

Example Sentence: Ele pensa sobre isso.  (He thinks about that.)

13. Achar (To think, to find out)

Portuguese	English
Eu acho	I think/find out
Tu achas	You think/find out (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela acha	You think/find out (formal, singular), He/She thinks/finds out
Nós achamos	We think/find out
Vós achais	You think/find out (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas acham	You think/find out (formal, plural), They think/find out

Example Sentence: Você acha que é uma boa ideia?  (Do you think it’s a good idea?)

14. Aprender (To learn)

Portuguese	English
Eu aprendo	I learn
Tu aprendes	You learn (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela aprende	You learn (formal, singular), He/She learns
Nós aprendemos	We learn
Vós aprendeis	You learn (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas aprendem	You learn (formal, plural), They learn

Example Sentence: Nós aprendemos português.  (We learn Portuguese.)

15. Entender (To understand)

Portuguese	English
Eu entendo	I understand
Tu entendes	You understand (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela entende	You understand (formal, singular), He/She understands
Nós entendemos	We understand
Vós entendeis	You understand (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas entendem	You understand (formal, plural), They understand

Example Sentence: Você entende inglês?  (Do you understand English?)

16. Decidir (To decide)

Portuguese	English
Eu decido	I decide
Tu decides	You decide (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela decide	You decide (formal, singular), He/She decides
Nós decidimos	We decide
Vós decidis	You decide (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas decidem	You decide (formal, plural), They decide

Example Sentence: Nós decidimos ir.  (We decided to go.)

17. Ver (To see, to watch)

Portuguese	English
Eu vejo	I see/watch
Tu vês	You see/watch (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela vê	You see/watch (formal, singular), He/She sees/watches
Nós vemos	We see/watch
Vós vedes	You see/watch (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas veem	You see/watch (formal, plural), They see/watch

Example Sentence: Eles veem a polícia.  (They see the police.)

18. Olhar (To look)

Portuguese	English
Eu olho	I look
Tu olhas	You look (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela olha	You look (formal, singular), He/She looks
Nós olhamos	We look
Vós olhais	You look (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas olham	You look (formal, plural), They look

Example Sentence: Eu olho para o pôr do sol.  (I look at the sunset.)

19. Ouvir (To hear)

Portuguese	English
Eu ouço	I hear
Tu ouves	You hear (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela ouve	You hear (formal, singular), He/She hears
Nós ouvimos	We hear
Vós ouvis	You hear (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas ouvem	You hear (formal, plural), They hear

Example Sentence: Ela ouve o boato.  (She hears the rumor.)

20. Escutar (To listen)

Portuguese	English
Eu escuto	I listen
Tu escutas	You listen (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela escuta	You listen (formal, singular), He/She listens
Nós escutamos	We listen
Vós escutais	You listen (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas escutam	You listen (formal, plural), They listen

Example Sentence: Ele nunca escuta.  (He never listens.)

21. Ir (To go)

Portuguese	English
Eu vou	I go
Tu vais	You go (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela vai	You go (formal, singular), He/She goes
Nós vamos / Nós imos	We go
Vós ides / Vós vades	You go (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas vão	You go (formal, plural), They go

Example Sentence: Eles vão almoçar.  (They go to lunch.)

22. Vir (To come)

Portuguese	English
Eu venho	I come
Tu vens	You come (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela vem	You come (formal, singular), He/She comes
Nós vimos	We come
Vós vindes	You come (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas vêm	You come (formal, plural), They come

Example Sentence: Ele vem à minha casa.  (He comes to my house.)

23. Sair (To go out)

Portuguese	English
Eu saio	I go out
Tu sais	You go out (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela sai	You go out (formal, singular), He/She goes out
Nós saímos	We go out
Vós saís	You go out (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas saem	You go out (formal, plural), They go out

Example Sentence: Vamos sair hoje à noite.  (Let’s go out tonight.)

24. Caminhar (To walk)

Portuguese	English
Eu caminho	I walk
Tu caminhas	You walk (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela caminha	You walk (formal, singular), He/She walks
Nós caminhamos	We walk
Vós caminhais	You walk (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas caminham	You walk (formal, plural), They walk

Example Sentence: Ele caminha para a casa de sua tia.  (He walks to his aunt’s house.)

25. Voltar (To return)

Portuguese	English
Eu volto	I return
Tu voltas	You return (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela volta	You return (formal, singular), He/She returns
Nós voltamos	We return
Vós voltais	You return (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas voltam	You return (formal, plural), They return

Example Sentence: João volta hoje à noite.  (João returns tonight.)

26. Deixar (To leave, to quit, to let)

Portuguese	English
Eu deixo	I leave/quit/let
Tu deixas	You leave/quit/let (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela deixa	You leave/quit/let (formal, singular), He/She leaves/quits/lets
Nós deixamos	We leave/quit/let
Vós deixais	You leave/quit/let (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas deixam	You leave/quit/let (formal, plural), They leave/quit/let

Example Sentence: Vou deixar minhas coisas aqui. (I will leave my stuff here.)

27. Chegar (To arrive)

Portuguese	English
Eu chego	I arrive
Tu chegas	You arrive (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela chega	You arrive (formal, singular), He/She arrives
Nós chegamos	We arrive
Vós chegais	You arrive (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas chegam	You arrive (formal, plural), They arrive

Example Sentence: Muitas vezes chegamos atrasados.  (We often arrive late.)

28. Ter (To have)

Portuguese	English
Eu tenho	I have
Tu tens	You have (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela tem	You have (formal, singular), He/She has
Nós temos	We have
Vós tendes	You have (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas têm	You have (formal, plural), They have

Example Sentence: A criança tem um brinquedo.  (The child has a toy.)

29. Fazer (To do, to make)

Portuguese	English
Eu faço	I do/make
Tu fazes	You do/make (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela faz	You do/make (formal, singular), He/She does/makes
Nós fazemos	We do/make
Vós fazeis	You do/make (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas fazem	You do/make (formal, plural), They do/make

Example Sentence: Eles me fazem feliz.  (They make me happy.)

30. Comer (To eat)

Portuguese	English
Eu como	I eat
Tu comes	You eat (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela come	You eat (formal, singular), He/She eats
Nós comemos	We eat
Vós comeis	You eat (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas comem	You eat (formal, plural), They eat

Example Sentence: Francisca come goiaba.  (Francisca eats guava.)

31. Beber (To drink)

Portuguese	English
Eu bebo	I drink
Tu bebes	You drink (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela bebe	You drink (formal, singular), He/She drinks
Nós bebemos	We drink
Vós bebeis	You drink (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas bebem	You drink (formal, plural), They drink

Example Sentence: Ele bebe café.  (He drinks coffee.)

32. Viver (To live)

Portuguese	English
Eu vivo	I live
Tu vives	You live (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela vive	You live (formal, singular), He/She lives
Nós vivemos	We live
Vós viveis	You live (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas vivem	You live (formal, plural), They live

Example Sentence: Nós vivemos no campo.  (We live in the country.)

33. Dormir (To sleep)

Portuguese	English
Eu durmo	I sleep
Tu dormes	You sleep (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela dorme	You sleep (formal, singular), He/She sleeps
Nós dormimos	We sleep
Vós dormis	You sleep (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas dormem	You sleep (formal, plural), They sleep

Example Sentence: O bebê precisa dormir.  (The baby needs to sleep.)

34. Descansar (To rest)

Portuguese	English
Eu descanso	I rest
Tu descansas	You rest (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela descansa	You rest (formal, singular), He/She rests
Nós descansamos	We rest
Vós descansais	You rest (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas descansam	You rest (formal, plural), They rest

Example Sentence: Precisamos descansar depois do jogo de futebol.  (We need to rest after the soccer game.)

35. Comprar (To buy)

Portuguese	English
Eu compro	I buy
Tu compras	You buy (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela compra	You buy (formal, singular), He/She buys
Nós compramos	We buy
Vós comprais	You buy (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas compram	You buy (formal, plural), They buy

Example Sentence: Eles compram comida quando estão com fome.  (They buy food when they are hungry.)

36. Estudar (To study)

Portuguese	English
Eu estudo	I study
Tu estudas	You study (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela estuda	You study (formal, singular), He/She studies
Nós estudamos	We study
Vós estudais	You study (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas estudam	You study (formal, plural), They study

Example Sentence: Eu estudo a língua portuguesa.  (I study the Portuguese language.)

37. Trabalhar (To work)

Portuguese	English
Eu trabalho	I work
Tu trabalhas	You work (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela trabalha	You work (formal, singular), He/She works
Nós trabalhamos	We work
Vós trabalhais	You work (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas trabalham	You work (formal, plural), They work

Example Sentence: Trabalhamos o dia todo.  (We work all day.)

38. Ajudar (To help)

Portuguese	English
Eu ajudo	I help
Tu ajudas	You help (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela ajuda	You help (formal, singular), He/She helps
Nós ajudamos	We help
Vós ajudais	You help (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas ajudam	You help (formal, plural), They help

Example Sentence: Eu gosto de te ajudar.  (I like to help you.)

39. Viajar (To travel)

Portuguese	English
Eu viajo	I travel
Tu viajas	You travel (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela viaja	You travel (formal, singular), He/She travels
Nós viajamos	We travel
Vós viajais	You travel (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas viajam	You travel (formal, plural), They travel

Example Sentence: Eu quero viajar para o Brasil.  (I want to travel to Brazil.)

40. Usar (To use)

Portuguese	English
Eu uso	I use
Tu usas	You use (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela usa	You use (formal, singular), He/She uses
Nós usamos	We use
Vós usais	You use (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas usam	You use (formal, plural), They use

Example Sentence: Para quê você usa isso?  (What do you use it for?)

41. Escrever (To write)

Portuguese	English
Eu escrevo	I write
Tu escreves	You write (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela escreve	You write (formal, singular), He/She writes
Nós escrevemos	We write
Vós escreveis	You write (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas escrevem	You write (formal, plural), They write

Example Sentence: Eu escrevo todos os dias.  (I write every day.)

42. Ler (To read)

Portuguese	English
Eu leio	I read
Tu lês	You read (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela lê	You read (formal, singular), He/She reads
Nós lemos	We read
Vós ledes	You read (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas leem	You read (formal, plural), They read

Example Sentence: Ele lê muitos livros.  (He reads a lot of books.)

43. Dar (To give)

Portuguese	English
Eu dou	I give
Tu dás	You give (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela dá	You give (formal, singular), He/She gives
Nós damos	We give
Vós dais	You give (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas dão	You give (formal, plural), They give

Example Sentence: Ele me dá presentes.  (He gives me presents.)

44. Escolher (To choose)

Portuguese	English
Eu escolho	I choose
Tu escolhes	You choose (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela escolhe	You choose (formal, singular), He/She chooses
Nós escolhemos	We choose
Vós escolheis	You choose (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas escolhem	You choose (formal, plural), They choose

Example Sentence: Eu escolho lembranças.  (I choose souvenirs.)

45. Jogar (To play)

Portuguese	English
Eu jogo	I play
Tu jogas	You play (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela joga	You play (formal, singular), He/She plays
Nós jogamos	We play
Vós jogais	You play (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas jogam	You play (formal, plural), They play

Example Sentence: Nós jogamos jogos juntos.  (We play games together.)

46. Passar (To pass)

Passar is often used in other phrases, which is why it’s so common.

Portuguese	English
Eu passo	I pass
Tu passas	You pass (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela passa	You pass (formal, singular), He/She passes
Nós passamos	We pass
Vós passais	You pass (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas passam	You pass (formal, plural), They pass

Example Sentence: Ele passa as roupas.  (He irons his clothes; literally, “he passes his clothes.”)

47. Precisar (To need)

Portuguese	English
Eu preciso	I need
Tu precisas	You need (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela precisa	You need (formal, singular), He/She needs
Nós precisamos	We need
Vós precisais	You need (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas precisam	You need (formal, plural), They need

Example Sentence: O cachorro precisa de água.  (The dog needs water.)

48. Falar (To speak, to talk)

Portuguese	English
Eu falo	I speak/talk
Tu falas	You speak/talk (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela fala	You speak/talk (formal, singular), He/She speaks/talks
Nós falamos	We speak/talk
Vós falais	You speak/talk (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas falam	You speak/talk (formal, plural), They speak/talk

Example Sentence: Eu falo um pouco de português.  (I speak a little Portuguese.)

49. Chamar (To call)

Portuguese	English
Eu chamo	I call
Tu chamas	You call (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela chama	You call (formal, singular), He/She calls
Nós chamamos	We call
Vós chamais	You call (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas chamam	You call (formal, plural), They call

Example Sentence: Como você se chama?  (What do you call yourself?; used like “what’s your name?”)

50. Perguntar  (To ask)

Portuguese	English
Eu pergunto	I ask
Tu perguntas	You ask (informal, singular)
Você, Ele / Ela pergunta	You ask (formal, singular), He/She asks
Nós perguntamos	We ask
Vós perguntais	You ask (informal, plural)
Vocês, Eles / Elas perguntam	You ask (formal, plural), They ask

Example Sentence: O que você quer perguntar?  (What do you want to ask?)

Why the Right Portuguese Verbs Are Important

Using the best possible verb adds clarity to your communication. Whether you’re speaking Portuguese or writing, you probably want to be understood. While you might be able to fumble through with just a few verbs, having more verbs in your vocabulary allows you to communicate much more clearly.

Additionally, learning common Portuguese verbs will help you understand what others are saying. Even if your Portuguese listening skills are on point, you can’t always deduce verb meanings based on context. Familiarizing yourself with common verbs will make it much easier to recognize them when you hear them.

Finally, knowing an array of verbs will help you sound more like a native speaker. Even tourists who haven’t studied Portuguese will probably know a few basic verbs. However, if you want to sound more like a native speaker, you’ll need a lot more verbs than the standard tourist!

How to Practice Portuguese Verbs

Conjugate!

Conjugating verbs is terrific practice. Not only can it help reinforce the word, but it can also help you memorize tricky conjugations.

To practice conjugating, you might make conjugation tables. Not sure if your conjugations are correct? Check them with a tool like Reverso.

Immerse yourself in Portuguese content.

One of the best ways to practice Portuguese verbs is by immersing yourself in authentic Portuguese content. For example, you could watch Portuguese movies and TV shows, or you could also try using an immersive language learning program like FluentU.

FluentU offers an array of authentic Portuguese videos—like music videos and movie trailers—that you can use to hear the language in context. Each clip is accompanied by interactive subtitles that you can hover over to find a quick definition of a term or click on to find more examples of a term in use.

By listening to the language, you’ll be able to pick up new Portuguese verbs and see how they are used by native speakers.

Have real conversations.

Once you think you know your Portuguese verbs, using them in real conversations is a great way to test your skills. If there’s a Portuguese learning group or a large Portuguese-speaking population near you, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding people to practice with.

If your community is devoid of Portuguese speakers, you can still practice online! Sites like My Language Exchange and Conversation Exchange can help you connect with native Portuguese speakers for conversation practice.

Or, you can try italki, where you can choose from thousands of tutors based on your interests and learning goals. Create your own schedule with any tutor and get one-on-one lessons that target exactly what you want to learn most. Using italki is a great opportunity to get personalized training while meeting people from all over the world!

Play games.

Sure, games are fun, but they’re also a great learning tool! Thankfully, there are several websites with games that can help you learn Portuguese verbs.

Conjuguemos has verb conjugation activities. You can choose between flashcards, graded practice and games. Games include crosswords, word searches, memory games and more.

Sporcle has an epic quiz that asks you to name common Portuguese verbs in just 15 minutes. Since there are 100 verbs, it’s quite the challenge!

ListeningPractice.org has a versatile verb conjugator. There are eight levels of Brazilian Portuguese and eight levels of European Portuguese. You can select tenses, verb frequency and person/number to cater the experience to meet your needs. Then, the conjugator will present you with conjugations to complete.

 

Now that you’ve learned 50 essential Portuguese verbs, it’s time to start using them!

Boa sorte! (Good luck!)
 

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)