Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials
"That" in Portuguese: aquilo / isso
aquilo / isso
Note: before a noun: aquele/a
That in Portuguese is aquilo or isso for a thing. Before a noun use aquele/aquela. Keep aquilo or isso as whole words in practice lines.
Pointing far
Aquilo no alto da colina é um mirante.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce aquilo / isso
Say it
ah-KEE-loo / EE-soo
/aq.ˈui.lu/, /ˈisu/
ah-KEE-loo / EE-soo
"That" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| aquilo | that (thing) Farther neuter. | Farther neuter. |
| isso | that / this (thing) Everyday pointer. | Everyday pointer. |
| aquele / aquela | that (m/f noun) Before nouns. | Before nouns. |
| isso aí | that’s it / that there Spoken confirm. | Spoken confirm. |
How to use aquilo / isso in real life
- 1Pointing far
Aquilo no alto da colina é um mirante.
That up on the hill is a lookout.
Aquilo.
- 2Confirm
Isso mesmo — o portão azul.
That’s right — the blue gate.
Isso.
- 3Clarify
Não quero aquilo; quero o menor.
I don’t want that; I want the smaller one.
Choice.
Mistakes English speakers make with aquilo / isso
Incorrect: That é meu carro.
Correct: Aquilo é meu carro. / Aquele é meu carro.
Use aquilo/isso or aquele + noun.
Incorrect: That livro é meu.
Correct: Aquilo é meu livro. / Aquele livro é meu.
Use aquilo/isso for the thing, or aquele/aquela before a noun.
Good to know
Isso is everywhere in Brazilian speech for that/this idea. Aquilo points farther. Before nouns, aquele/aquela is the careful form—pair it in real talk even if this page highlights aquilo/isso.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing luggage
ChatPal
Isso na esteira é a sua mala?
Is that on the belt your suitcase?
You
Não. Aquilo preto é de outra pessoa.
No. That black one is someone else’s.
ChatPal
Então isso vermelho deve ser a sua.
Then that red one must be yours.
You
Isso! Peguei.
That’s it! Got it.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"That" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "That" in Portuguese
That (thing)?
Aquilo / isso.
That + noun?
Aquele (m) / aquela (f).
That’s right?
Isso mesmo / isso aí.
This?
Isto / este / esta.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
