Understanding the Preposition “com”
In Portuguese, “com” is a preposition that means “with.” It is used to indicate accompaniment or association. For example:
- Eu vou ao cinema com meus amigos. (I’m going to the movies with my friends.)
- Ela trabalha com você. (She works with you.)
However, when “com” is used with certain pronouns, it combines to create specific forms that are unique to Portuguese.
Special Forms: Com + Pronouns
Instead of saying “com mim” or “com ti,” Portuguese uses contracted forms. These forms are:
- comigo (with me) — instead of “com mim”
- contigo (with you, informal singular) — instead of “com ti”
- consigo (with you – formal, or with him/her/it) — instead of “com si”
- conosco (with us) — instead of “com nós”
- convosco (with you all, informal plural, mostly in Portugal) — instead of “com vós”
These forms are not optional—they are the correct and natural way to express “with me,” “with you,” and so on in Portuguese.
Examples in Context
- Você quer vir comigo? (Do you want to come with me?)
- Eu vou contigo. (I’m going with you.)
- Ela trouxe o livro consigo. (She brought the book with her.)
- O professor falou conosco. (The teacher spoke with us.)
- Vocês vêm conosco à festa? (Are you coming with us to the party?)
When to Use Each Form
Comigo
Use “comigo” when you are talking about yourself:
Ele quer falar comigo. (He wants to talk with me.)
Contigo
Use “contigo” when speaking informally to one person (tu-form):
Posso ir contigo? (Can I go with you?)
Consigo
“Consigo” is used for formal “you” (o senhor, a senhora) or for he/she/it (ele/ela) in certain contexts:
Posso falar consigo, doutor? (Can I speak with you, doctor?)
Ela trouxe o guarda-chuva consigo. (She brought the umbrella with her.)
Conosco
Use “conosco” for “with us”:
Venha conosco! (Come with us!)
Convosco
“Convosco” is used for the plural informal “you” (vós), mainly in European Portuguese:
Podemos falar convosco? (Can we talk with you all?)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Never say “com mim,” “com ti,” or “com nós.” Always use the contracted forms: “comigo,” “contigo,” and “conosco.”
- “Consigo” can also refer to third-person “with him/her/it,” especially in more formal or written Portuguese.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, “convosco” is rarely used; “com vocês” is preferred for “with you all.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master these forms is through regular practice. Try making sentences with each form, and pay attention when native speakers use them. You can also use language learning tools like Talkpal to get more exposure and practice with these essential prepositions and pronouns in Portuguese.
Conclusion
Learning how to use the preposition “com” with pronouns like “comigo” and “contigo” is a key step in sounding natural and fluent in Portuguese. Remember the special contracted forms and incorporate them into your daily conversations. With regular exposure and practice, you’ll soon use these forms confidently and correctly. For more tips and language learning resources, explore the Talkpal blog and continue your Portuguese journey!
