What Does the Preposition ‘De’ Mean?
In Portuguese, “de” is a versatile preposition that generally means “of” or “from.” It is used in a wide range of contexts, but one of its primary functions is to denote possession or ownership. Instead of using an apostrophe and “s” like in English (for example, “Maria’s book”), Portuguese uses “de” to connect the owner and the object owned.
Basic Structure for Expressing Ownership with ‘De’
The most straightforward way to show ownership in Portuguese is:
[Object] + de + [Owner]
For example:
- O livro de Maria – Maria’s book (literally, “the book of Maria”)
- A casa do João – João’s house (literally, “the house of João”)
This structure is used for both people and things, making it a universal pattern that’s easy to apply.
Using Definite and Indefinite Articles
When expressing ownership, you often need to use articles (o, a, os, as) before the object:
- O carro da Ana – Ana’s car
- As chaves do professor – The teacher’s keys
Note that “de” will contract with the definite article when the owner is introduced with “o” or “a”:
- de + o = do
- de + a = da
- de + os = dos
- de + as = das
For example:
- O livro do menino – The boy’s book
- A mochila das crianças – The children’s backpack
Ownership with Names and Pronouns
When the owner’s name is used, “de” does not contract:
- A casa de Pedro – Pedro’s house
- O gato de Sofia – Sofia’s cat
However, when using pronouns or nouns with articles, contraction is necessary:
- O livro dela – Her book (literally, “the book of her”)
- O carro deles – Their car (literally, “the car of them”)
Multiple Owners and Complex Phrases
To express ownership involving more than one person or object, simply extend the structure:
- O quarto das meninas – The girls’ room
- O caderno do professor de matemática – The math teacher’s notebook
This structure can be layered for added detail, allowing you to specify exactly whose object you are referring to.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Language learners often try to translate ownership directly from English, leading to errors like using an apostrophe or the word “do” inappropriately. Remember:
- Never use an apostrophe-s (‘s) in Portuguese.
- Always use “de” or its contracted forms to indicate possession.
- Be mindful of contractions with articles (do, da, dos, das).
Practice Makes Perfect
To master expressing ownership with “de,” practice by describing objects around you and their owners. For example:
- A mesa do escritório – The office’s table
- O casaco do meu amigo – My friend’s coat
- O celular da professora – The teacher’s phone
Consider using language learning tools like Talkpal to reinforce these structures with interactive exercises and real-life conversations.
Conclusion
Expressing ownership using the preposition “de” is an essential skill for anyone learning Portuguese. By understanding the basic structure, using articles and contractions correctly, and practicing with everyday examples, you’ll communicate more clearly and naturally. For more tips and interactive lessons, check out resources on the Talkpal AI language learning blog to boost your Portuguese skills even further.
