Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials

"I" in Portuguese: eu

eu

Say it: eh-oopronoun/ˈew/

I in Portuguese is eu. Verbs often make eu optional: (Eu) quero água. Keep eu for emphasis or contrast: Eu vou, você fica.

Ordering

Eu quero o prato do dia.
I want the dish of the day.
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How to pronounce eu

Say it

eh-oo

/ˈew/

eh-oo

"I" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
euI

Subject pronoun.

eu mesmo / eu mesmaI myself

Emphasis.

eu tambémme too / I also

Agreement.

pra mimfor me

Object form (related).

How to use eu in real life

  1. 1Ordering

    Eu quero o prato do dia.

    I want the dish of the day.

    Clear subject.

  2. 2Contrast

    Eu fico em casa; ele vai ao cinema.

    I stay home; he’s going to the movies.

    Emphasis.

  3. 3Introducing yourself

    Eu sou a Marina, prazer.

    I’m Marina, nice to meet you.

    Identity.

Mistakes English speakers make with eu

Incorrect: Me quero café. (as subject)

Correct: Eu quero café.

Subject is eu; me is an object pronoun.

Incorrect: I sou brasileiro.

Correct: Eu sou brasileiro.

Use eu, not English I.

Good to know

Brazilians drop eu constantly when the verb ending is clear. Putting eu back in adds contrast or clarity on the phone. Mim appears after prepositions: para mim, comigo.

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Dividing chores

  1. ChatPal

    Eu lavo a louça hoje.

    I’ll wash the dishes today.

  2. You

    Eu seco e guardo.

    I’ll dry and put them away.

  3. ChatPal

    Perfeito. Eu também tiro o lixo.

    Perfect. I’ll take out the trash too.

  4. You

    Fechado. Depois a gente descansa.

    Deal. Afterward we rest.

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"I" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "I" in Portuguese

Must I say eu?

Often optional if the verb shows the person.

For emphasis?

Keep eu to contrast: Eu vou.

Me vs eu?

Eu = subject; me = object.

For me?

Para mim / pra mim.

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