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Guidebook · Unit 2 · A1

First Words

Articles, gender, and counting to twenty

  1. 1

    O and a: every noun has a gender

    The words for “the” and “a”, and how to tell a masculine noun from a feminine one.

    • Every noun is masculine or feminine — learn each one with its article.
    • the: o, a, os, as · a / some: um, uma, uns, umas.
    • -o is usually masculine; -a, -ção, -dade and -agem are usually feminine.
    • Early exceptions: o dia, o mapa, o problema · a foto, a moto, a mão.
    • Most nouns ending in a vowel add -s in the plural: os pratos, as mesas.
    Open lesson
  2. 2

    Describing things: adjectives that agree

    Make adjectives match their nouns — bonito, bonita, bonitos, bonitas — and put them in the right place.

    • Adjectives agree in gender and number: bonito, bonita, bonitos, bonitas.
    • They normally come after the noun: uma casa pequena, os carros novos.
    • Most adjectives in -e or a consonant don't change for gender: grande, feliz, azul — plural grandes, felizes.
    • Bom / boa usually goes before the noun: um bom cozinheiro, boa noite.
    • A mixed group takes the masculine plural: O Marcos e a Luana são simpáticos.
    Open lesson
  3. 3

    Numbers: um to vinte

    Count from one to twenty — and use numbers with ter to talk about family and age.

    • 1–10: um/uma, dois/duas, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez.
    • 11–20: onze, doze, treze, catorze, quinze, dezesseis, dezessete, dezoito, dezenove, vinte.
    • Only one and two agree with the noun: um prato, uma mesa; dois pratos, duas mesas.
    • Family and age use ter: Eu tenho dois irmãos. Ela tem vinte anos.
    • Quantos / quantas agrees too: Quantos anos você tem? Quantas irmãs?
    • A mixed group takes the masculine: dois irmãos can be a brother and a sister.
    Open lesson
  4. 4

    Please, thank you — and a welcome dinner

    The courtesy phrases you'll use every day, then Marina's welcome dinner at Marcos's house.

    • Por favor (please), obrigado / obrigada (thank you), de nada (you're welcome).
    • Obrigado / obrigada agrees with the speaker; bem-vindo / bem-vinda / bem-vindos / bem-vindas with whoever is welcomed.
    • Com licença to get past, come in or interrupt; desculpa (or desculpe) to say sorry.
    • A casa é sua — make yourself at home; Imagina! — don't mention it.
    • Accept an offer by echoing the verb: Vocês querem suco? — Quero, sim, por favor!
    Open lesson
Unit review