Learn Brazilian Portuguese // Lesson 1: Building sentences

Summary

This lesson offers a simple and engaging approach to learning Portuguese pronunciation. The speaker breaks down key phrases, focusing on proper pronunciation, such as 'quero' (I want), 'ir' (to go), and 'falar' (to speak). Emphasizing subtle pronunciation differences, such as the soft 'r' and muted consonants, learners are guided through real-life examples like 'Eu quero aprender português' (I want to learn Portuguese). By the end, viewers are encouraged to repeat key phrases and are reassured that with the right methods, anyone can master the basics of Portuguese.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pronunciation matters: Portuguese sounds, like 'quero' and 'ir', require attention to subtle differences compared to English.
• 😀 The letter 'Q-U' in Portuguese is pronounced with a /k/ sound, without the puff of air like in English.
• 😀 The Portuguese 'r' sounds like a soft 'd', similar to the double 'd' in 'kiddo'.
• 😀 The letter 'p' in Portuguese has no puff of air, unlike the English 'port'.
• 😀 Portuguese 't' is pronounced with less puff of air compared to English, such as the difference between 'two' in English and 'tu' in Portuguese.
• 😀 Regional variations exist in Portuguese, but for simplicity, treat some consonants (like 'r' and 't') as softer or even silent in some words.
• 😀 'Eu quero' means 'I want', and 'Eu quero falar' translates to 'I want to speak'.
• 😀 The word 'não' means 'no' and can also express 'I don’t want'. Its pronunciation includes the 'ão' sound, similar to 'now-ng'.
• 😀 'Muito' means 'a lot' or 'really', and can be used to emphasize how much you want something, like 'Eu quero muito aprender' ('I really want to learn').
• 😀 'Preciso' means 'I need', and is used in sentences like 'Eu preciso aprender português' ('I need to learn Portuguese').
• 😀 'Por que português?' means 'Why Portuguese?', with the response often being 'Porque eu preciso' ('Because I need it').

Q & A

What does the word 'quero' mean in Portuguese?

'Quero' means 'I want' in Portuguese.

How is the 'Q-U' sound pronounced in Portuguese?

The 'Q-U' in Portuguese is pronounced with a /k/ sound, but without the puff of air you would get in the English word 'kid.'

What is the difference in pronunciation between the English 'k' and the Portuguese 'k' sound?

In English, the 'k' sound, like in 'kid', is accompanied by a puff of air. In Portuguese, the 'k' sound, like in 'quero', does not have the puff of air.

How is the 'r' in Portuguese words like 'quero' and 'falar' pronounced?

The 'r' in Portuguese is pronounced softly, similar to the 'double d' sound in the English word 'kiddo,' with the tongue barely tapping the ridge above the front teeth.

Why does the 'o' sound in 'quero' sound like a 'u'?

In Portuguese, the 'o' in 'quero' is pronounced closer to a 'u' sound, unlike the typical 'o' sound in English.

What is the difference in pronunciation between the Portuguese 'p' sound and the English 'p' sound?

In Portuguese, the 'p' is pronounced without the puff of air that you get when pronouncing the English 'p' in words like 'port.'

How is the 't' sound different in English and Portuguese?

In English, the 't' sound, like in 'two,' is pronounced with a lot of air, while in Portuguese, the 't' is softer and pronounced with the tip of the tongue against the backside of the front teeth, without the puff of air.

How do you say 'I want to speak Portuguese' in Portuguese?

'Eu quero falar português' is the phrase for 'I want to speak Portuguese.'

What does the word 'não' mean and how is it pronounced?

'Não' means 'no' in Portuguese. The 'ão' sound in 'não' is similar to the English 'now,' but with a slight 'ng' sound at the end.

How do you say 'I need to learn Portuguese' in Portuguese?

'Eu preciso aprender português' is the phrase for 'I need to learn Portuguese.'

What does the word 'muito' mean in Portuguese?

'Muito' means 'a lot' or 'really' in Portuguese, depending on the context. For example, 'Eu quero muito aprender' means 'I really want to learn.'

How do you say 'I want to learn a lot more' in Portuguese?

'Eu quero aprender muito mais' is the phrase for 'I want to learn a lot more.'

How is the word 'preciso' used in Portuguese, and how do you say 'I need to do something'?

'Preciso' means 'I need.' To say 'I need to do something,' you would say 'Eu preciso fazer.'

What does 'por que português?' mean, and how do you answer it?

'Por que português?' means 'Why Portuguese?' An appropriate answer could be 'Porque eu preciso' (Because I need it).

How do you say 'Because I really like the language' in Portuguese?

'Porque eu gosto muito da língua' means 'Because I really like the language.'

How would you say 'I want to learn Portuguese because I really like the language' in Portuguese?

'Eu quero aprender português porque eu gosto muito da língua' is how you would say 'I want to learn Portuguese because I really like the language.'