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... ). | ||
How do we guess gender of nouns in Portuguese? | |||
== Nouns that are usually masculine in Portuguese == | == Nouns that are usually masculine in Portuguese == | ||
=== Nouns ending in O === | === Nouns ending in O === | ||
* o jogo = game | * o jogo = game | ||
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Here is a common exception: | Here is a common exception: | ||
* a tribo = tribe | * a tribo = tribe | ||
=== Nouns ending in I or U === | === Nouns ending in I or U === | ||
* o abacaxi = pineapple | * o abacaxi = pineapple | ||
* o caju = cashew | * o caju = cashew | ||
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=== Nouns ending in a consonant === | === Nouns ending in a consonant === | ||
* o hotel = hotel | * o hotel = hotel | ||
* o papel = paper | * o papel = paper | ||
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=== Nouns ending in EMA === | === Nouns ending in EMA === | ||
This might be counter intuitive because of the “a” at the end: | This might be counter intuitive because of the “a” at the end: | ||
* o problema = problem | * o problema = problem | ||
* o cinema = cinema | * o cinema = cinema | ||
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== Nouns usually feminine in Portuguese == | == Nouns usually feminine in Portuguese == | ||
=== Nouns ending in à === | === Nouns ending in à === | ||
* a maçã = apple | * a maçã = apple | ||
* a manhã = morning | * a manhã = morning | ||
* a hortelã = mint | * a hortelã = mint | ||
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* a cama = bed | * a cama = bed | ||
* a mesa = table | * a mesa = table | ||
A couple of very common exceptions to this rule: | A couple of very common exceptions to this rule: | ||
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== Some nouns have a single form for masculine and feminine == | == Some nouns have a single form for masculine and feminine == | ||
=== Nouns ending in ENTE === | === Nouns ending in ENTE === | ||
* o/a paciente = patient | * o/a paciente = patient | ||
* o/a cliente = client | * o/a cliente = client | ||
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=== Nouns ending in ANTE === | === Nouns ending in ANTE === | ||
* o/a fumante = smoker | * o/a fumante = smoker | ||
* o/a estudante = student | * o/a estudante = student | ||
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=== Nouns ending in ISTA === | === Nouns ending in ISTA === | ||
* o/a dentista = dentist | * o/a dentista = dentist | ||
* o/a massagista = masseur | * o/a massagista = masseur | ||
* o/a turista = tourist | * o/a turista = tourist | ||
Revision as of 11:52, 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... ).
How do we guess gender of nouns in Portuguese?
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
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