Understanding Basic Commands in Portuguese

In this lesson, you will learn how to give and understand basic commands and requests in Portuguese. Mastering this skill will help you navigate daily interactions with native Portuguese speakers and make yourself understood more effectively. Let's dive in!

Giving Commands in Portuguese

To give a command or request in Portuguese, you can use the imperative form of the verb. Generally, the imperative in Portuguese is formed by taking the verb root and adding a specific ending to it.

Here are the imperative forms for regular verbs in Portuguese:

• For the second-person singular (informal):
  • Verbs ending in -ar: remove the -ar and add -e.
  • Verbs ending in -er: remove the -er and add -a.
  • Verbs ending in -ir: remove the -ir and add -a.

Examples:

• Falar (to speak) -> Fale (speak!)

• Comer (to eat) -> Come (eat!)

• Abrir (to open) -> Abre (open!)

• For the second-person plural (formal or when speaking to a group of people):

  • Verbs ending in -ar: remove the -ar and add -em.
  • Verbs ending in -er or -ir: remove the -er or -ir and add -am.

Examples:

• Falar (to speak) -> Falem (speak!)
• Comer (to eat) -> Comam (eat!)

Understanding Commands in Context

It's important to understand that the imperative form can be perceived as quite direct in Portuguese. Although it can be used in informal contexts among friends or family, in more formal situations, it's recommended to use a softer approach.

To make your commands or requests more polite, you can add the word por favor (please) at the end of the sentence. This will make a significant difference and show respect towards the person you are speaking to. For example:

• Fale mais devagar, por favor. (Speak more slowly, please.)
• Abra a porta, por favor. (Open the door, please.)
• Coma esse prato, por favor. (Eat this dish, please.)

Understanding Commands as Infinitive Verbs

In some cases, instead of using the imperative form, you can give commands or requests by using the infinitive form of the verb.

This approach is especially common in signs, manuals, or written instructions. By using the infinitive form, the command becomes more universal and can be applied to anyone reading or listening.

Examples:

• Não fumar (No smoking)
• Proibido estacionar (No parking)
• Ler com atenção (Read carefully)

Using the infinitive form is also a good practice when dealing with unknown individuals or when you want to avoid being too direct.

Understanding and Comprehending Commands

When someone gives you a command or request in Portuguese, it's essential to understand what is being asked of you. Here are some useful phrases to help you comprehend and respond appropriately:

• Pode repetir, por favor? (Can you repeat, please?)
• Desculpe, não entendi. (Sorry, I didn't understand.)
• O que você quer dizer com isso? (What do you mean by that?)

By using these phrases, you can ask for clarification and make sure you're on the same page.

Summary

Congratulations! You now have a solid foundation for understanding basic commands in Portuguese. Remember to be mindful of using the imperative form appropriately in different contexts and to add politeness with the word por favor. Practice giving and understanding commands to become more confident in your Portuguese language skills. Obrigado (Thank you) for reading, and continue to practice and expand your knowledge. Até logo (See you soon)!