Basic Meaning and Conjugation of ‘Chegar’
Chegar is a regular verb that belongs to the first conjugation group (-ar verbs). Its primary meaning is “to arrive,” but it can also mean “to reach” or “to come” depending on the context.
- Eu chego (I arrive)
- Tu chegas (You arrive, informal)
- Ele/Ela chega (He/She arrives)
- Nós chegamos (We arrive)
- Vocês chegam (You all arrive)
- Eles/Elas chegam (They arrive)
Using ‘Chegar’ to Indicate Physical Arrival
The most straightforward use of ‘chegar’ is to indicate that someone or something has physically arrived at a location.
Examples:
- O ônibus chegou atrasado. (The bus arrived late.)
- Ela chega ao trabalho às nove horas. (She arrives at work at nine o’clock.)
- Quando vocês chegam à festa? (When are you arriving at the party?)
‘Chegar’ in the Sense of Reaching a Goal or Point
In addition to physical arrival, ‘chegar’ can be used metaphorically to express reaching a certain point, goal, or stage.
Examples:
- Cheguei ao fim do livro. (I reached the end of the book.)
- Ele chegou a um acordo com a empresa. (He reached an agreement with the company.)
- Estamos chegando ao final do semestre. (We are reaching the end of the semester.)
Using ‘Chegar’ in Expressions and Idioms
Portuguese speakers often use ‘chegar’ in idiomatic expressions, which is important to recognize for more natural conversation.
Common Expressions:
- Chegar a tempo – To arrive on time
- Chegar cedo/tarde – To arrive early/late
- Chegar a uma conclusão – To reach a conclusion
- Chegar aos ouvidos de alguém – To reach someone’s ears (to be heard by someone)
- Chegar lá – To get there (to achieve something, often after effort)
Examples in Sentences:
- Se você sair agora, vai chegar a tempo. (If you leave now, you will arrive on time.)
- Depois de muito estudo, finalmente cheguei lá. (After a lot of studying, I finally made it/achieved it.)
Chegar Followed by Prepositions
The verb ‘chegar’ is often followed by prepositions, especially a and em, to indicate where someone or something is arriving.
- Chegar a – Used before cities, countries, or events (Cheguei a Lisboa, Cheguei ao Brasil)
- Chegar em – Used more informally, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, with places in general (Cheguei em casa, Cheguei em São Paulo)
Examples:
- Cheguei em casa tarde ontem. (I arrived home late yesterday.)
- Quando você chegou ao Brasil? (When did you arrive in Brazil?)
Using ‘Chegar’ in the Past and Future
To discuss past and future arrivals, simply conjugate ‘chegar’ in the appropriate tense.
- Ontem, cheguei cedo. (Yesterday, I arrived early.)
- Amanhã, chegaremos às dez. (Tomorrow, we will arrive at ten.)
Tips for Mastering ‘Chegar’ in Portuguese
- Listen to native speakers and note how they use ‘chegar’ in different contexts.
- Practice forming sentences with ‘chegar’ using different tenses and prepositions.
- Pay attention to idiomatic expressions involving ‘chegar’ to sound more natural.
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to reinforce your understanding through interactive exercises.
Conclusion
Chegar is a fundamental verb in Portuguese that extends beyond simply “arriving.” Mastering its use in various contexts, including physical arrival, reaching goals, and idiomatic expressions, will enrich your Portuguese communication skills. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in authentic language experiences. For more guidance and effective practice, Talkpal’s AI-powered tools can help you integrate verbs like ‘chegar’ into your active vocabulary, making your language learning journey smoother and more enjoyable.
