Capitalization and Punctuation in Portuguese

In written Portuguese, capitalization and punctuation play a crucial role in conveying meaning and clarity. Understanding the specific rules for capitalization and punctuation will help you master the nuances of the language and enhance your written communication. In this guide, we will explore the key rules and guidelines for capitalizing words and effectively using punctuation marks in Portuguese.

Capitalization Rules

1. Sentence case: In Portuguese, the default capitalization style for sentences is sentence case, where only the first letter of the first word is capitalized, and all other words are lowercase. For example: "Eu gosto de caminhar no parque." (I like to walk in the park.)

2. Proper nouns: Proper nouns such as names of people, places, countries, and cities are always capitalized. For example: "João Silva", "Rio de Janeiro".

3. Days of the week and months: Days of the week and months of the year are also capitalized. For example: "Segunda-feira" (Monday), "Janeiro" (January).

4. Titles and headings: Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in titles and headings. Articles, conjunctions, and short prepositions (e.g., "de," "da," "do," "para," "com") are not capitalized unless they are the first word of the title. For example: "A História do Brasil" (The History of Brazil).

Punctuation Marks

1. Period (.): The period is used to indicate the end of a sentence or abbreviation. For example: "Eu tenho uma casa." (I have a house.), "Dr." (abbreviation for "Doutor" - Doctor).

2. Comma (,): The comma is used to separate items in a list, clauses, or phrases within a sentence. For example: "Eu gosto de pão, queijo e café." (I like bread, cheese, and coffee.), "Quando chover, ficaremos em casa." (When it rains, we will stay at home).

3. Question mark (?): The question mark is used at the end of a direct question. For example: "Você está bem?" (Are you okay?), "Onde fica o banheiro?" (Where is the bathroom?).

4. Exclamation mark (!): The exclamation mark is used to express strong emotions or surprise. For example: "Parabéns!" (Congratulations!), "Que linda paisagem!" (What a beautiful landscape!).

5. Quotation marks ("" or ''): Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech or to enclose a quoted text. Use double quotation marks ("") in most cases, and single quotation marks ('') within double quotation marks for nested quotes. For example: "Ela disse: "Estou muito feliz"." (She said, "I am very happy.").

6. Colon (:): The colon is used to introduce a list or explanation. For example: "Há três cores primárias: vermelho, azul e amarelo." (There are three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow.).

7. Semicolon (;): The semicolon is used to connect two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. For example: "Eu estudo muito; espero obter boas notas." (I study a lot; I hope to get good grades.).

8. Dash (— or -): Dashes can be used to indicate a break in thought or to add emphasis. For example: "Ela não está focada no trabalho — está distraída." (She is not focused on work - she is distracted.).

9. Parentheses (() or ()): Parentheses are used to enclose additional or explanatory information within a sentence. For example: "Ele (o meu professor) é muito inteligente." (He (my teacher) is very intelligent.).

10. Ellipsis (…): The ellipsis is used to show an omission of words or a pause in speech. For example: "Vamos sair para jantar... talvez em um restaurante italiano." (Let's go out for dinner... maybe to an Italian restaurant.).

Remember, consistency and clarity are key when it comes to capitalization and punctuation in Portuguese. By following these rules and guidelines, you will be able to express your thoughts effectively in written form.