What Does “Mesmo” Mean?
The word “mesmo” is an adjective, adverb, and pronoun in Portuguese, and its meaning can shift based on how it is used in a sentence. Most commonly, “mesmo” can mean “same,” “even,” “really,” or “self.” Understanding these uses is key to mastering everyday Portuguese conversation.
Using “Mesmo” as “Same”
When “mesmo” is used as an adjective, it often means “same.” It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies:
- O mesmo livro – The same book
- As mesmas pessoas – The same people
- A mesma rua – The same street
Notice how “mesmo” changes to “mesma” (feminine singular), “mesmos” (masculine plural), or “mesmas” (feminine plural) to match the noun.
Emphasizing with “Mesmo”: “Even” or “Really”
Portuguese speakers often use “mesmo” to add emphasis, similar to the English words “even” or “really.”
- Ele chegou mesmo cedo. – He arrived really early.
- Ela fez isso mesmo? – Did she really do that?
- Eu gosto mesmo de chocolate. – I really like chocolate.
This use of “mesmo” intensifies the meaning of the verb or adjective that follows, showing that something is definite or surprising.
“Mesmo” as “Self”: Reflexive or Emphatic Pronoun
Another common use of “mesmo” is to reinforce reflexive pronouns, much like “myself,” “yourself,” or “himself” in English. This is often used to emphasize that the subject did something personally.
- Eu mesmo fiz o trabalho. – I did the work myself.
- Ela mesma preparou a comida. – She prepared the food herself.
- Nós mesmos resolvemos o problema. – We solved the problem ourselves.
This is particularly useful when you want to stress that no one else was involved in the action.
“Mesmo” in Fixed Expressions
There are several fixed expressions in Portuguese that use “mesmo,” and recognizing these will help you sound more fluent:
- Mesmo assim – Even so, still
- De qualquer modo, vou mesmo assim. – Anyway, I’m going anyway.
- Ao mesmo tempo – At the same time
- Ele pode andar e falar ao mesmo tempo. – He can walk and talk at the same time.
These expressions are common in both spoken and written Portuguese, so it’s worth memorizing them for everyday use.
When “Mesmo” Means “Right” or “Exactly”
In some contexts, “mesmo” can mean “right” or “exactly,” often reinforcing a location or a point in time:
- Ele mora aqui mesmo. – He lives right here.
- Chegamos na hora mesmo. – We arrived exactly on time.
This use gives extra precision to your statements, a subtle but powerful way to communicate clearly in Portuguese.
Tips for Mastering “Mesmo”
- Listen to native speakers and notice how they use “mesmo” in different contexts. Language learning platforms like Talkpal can help you practice with real-life dialogues.
- Try to use “mesmo” in your own sentences, experimenting with its various meanings.
- Pay attention to gender and number agreement when using “mesmo” as an adjective.
- Remember that context is key: the meaning of “mesmo” can change dramatically depending on where it appears in a sentence.
Conclusion
Understanding and using the word “mesmo” in Portuguese opens up new possibilities for expressing yourself with nuance and confidence. Whether you’re emphasizing your feelings, talking about the same object, or making your statements more precise, “mesmo” is a valuable addition to your Portuguese vocabulary. Keep practicing and, with resources like the Talkpal AI language learning blog, you’ll be using “mesmo” like a native in no time!
