Difference between revisions of "Language/Portuguese/Grammar/Gender"
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A noun is a word or a group of words which can be the subject of a verb and which corresponds semantically to an object of thought (being or class of beings, thing, property, state, feeling, process, relation, quantity... ). | A noun is a word or a group of words which can be the subject of a verb and which corresponds semantically to an object of thought (being or class of beings, thing, property, state, feeling, process, relation, quantity... ). | ||
== Nouns that are usually masculine in Portuguese == | == Nouns that are usually masculine in Portuguese == | ||
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* a cor = the color | * a cor = the color | ||
* a flor = the flower | * a flor = the flower | ||
=== Nouns ending in EMA === | === Nouns ending in EMA === | ||
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* o cinema = cinema | * o cinema = cinema | ||
* o telefonema = phone call | * o telefonema = phone call | ||
== Nouns usually feminine in Portuguese == | == Nouns usually feminine in Portuguese == | ||
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* a universidade = university | * a universidade = university | ||
* a tempestade = storm | * a tempestade = storm | ||
=== Nouns ending in AÇÃO === | === Nouns ending in AÇÃO === | ||
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* a ação = action | * a ação = action | ||
* a confirmação = confirmation | * a confirmação = confirmation | ||
=== Nouns ending in AGEM === | === Nouns ending in AGEM === | ||
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* a massagem = massage | * a massagem = massage | ||
== Some nouns have a single form for masculine and feminine == | |||
=== Nouns ending in ENTE === | |||
* o/a paciente = patient | |||
* o/a cliente = client | |||
* o/a parente = relative (family member) | |||
=== Nouns ending in ANTE === | |||
* o/a fumante = smoker | |||
* o/a estudante = student | |||
* o/a ajudante = helper | |||
=== Nouns ending in ISTA === | |||
* o/a dentista = dentist | |||
* o/a massagista = masseur | |||
* o/a turista = tourist | |||
== For fun: a bola vs. o bolo == | == For fun: a bola vs. o bolo == | ||
Revision as of 11:44, 21 August 2022
A noun is a word or a group of words which can be the subject of a verb and which corresponds semantically to an object of thought (being or class of beings, thing, property, state, feeling, process, relation, quantity... ).
Nouns that are usually masculine in Portuguese
Nouns ending in O
- o jogo = game
- o barco = boat
- o prato = plate
Here is a common exception:
- a tribo = tribe
Nouns ending in I or U
- o abacaxi = pineapple
- o caju = cashew
- o bisturi = scalpel
- o baú = trunk
Nouns ending in a consonant
- o hotel = hotel
- o papel = paper
- o cristal = crystal
- o amor = love
- o mar = sea
- o lápis = pencil
- o país = country
There are exceptions. Some nouns ending in “or” are feminine:
- a dor = the pain
- a cor = the color
- a flor = the flower
Nouns ending in EMA
This might be counter intuitive because of the “a” at the end:
- o problema = problem
- o cinema = cinema
- o telefonema = phone call
Nouns usually feminine in Portuguese
Nouns ending in Ã
- a maçã = apple
- a manhã = morning
- a hortelã = mint
There are exceptions, of course:
- o talismã = talisman
- o ímã = magnet
Nouns ending in A
- a cadeira = chair
- a cama = bed
- a mesa = table
Learn parts of the house in Portuguese.
A couple of very common exceptions to this rule:
- o mapa = map
- o dia = day
Nouns ending in DADE
- a cidade = city
- a universidade = university
- a tempestade = storm
Nouns ending in AÇÃO
- a nação = nation
- a ação = action
- a confirmação = confirmation
Nouns ending in AGEM
- a viagem = trip
- a garagem = garage (not parking)
- a massagem = massage
Some nouns have a single form for masculine and feminine
Nouns ending in ENTE
- o/a paciente = patient
- o/a cliente = client
- o/a parente = relative (family member)
Nouns ending in ANTE
- o/a fumante = smoker
- o/a estudante = student
- o/a ajudante = helper
Nouns ending in ISTA
- o/a dentista = dentist
- o/a massagista = masseur
- o/a turista = tourist
For fun: a bola vs. o bolo
These two nouns are a great source of confusion for learners:
- a bola de futebol = the soccer ball
- o bolo de chocolate = the chocolate cakee