General Rules for Capitalization in Portuguese
Unlike English, Portuguese uses capitalization more sparingly. Understanding when to capitalize—and when not to—will help you write with greater accuracy. Let’s explore the most important rules you need to know.
1. Capitalize the First Word of a Sentence
Just like in English, the first word of every sentence in Portuguese should be capitalized. This rule applies to both regular sentences and direct quotations.
- Example: O gato está dormindo.
2. Proper Nouns
Names of people, cities, countries, and specific places are always capitalized in Portuguese. This includes full names, geographical locations, and institutions.
- Example: Maria Silva, Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Universidade de Lisboa
3. Days of the Week, Months, and Languages
This is a key difference from English. In Portuguese, names of the days of the week, months, and languages are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
- Example: segunda-feira (Monday), janeiro (January), português (Portuguese)
4. Nationalities and Demonyms
Words referring to nationalities or demonyms (e.g., brasileiro, americano) are written in lowercase, unless they start a sentence.
- Example: Ela é francesa. (She is French.)
5. Titles of Books, Movies, and Works of Art
In Portuguese, only the first word of a title and any proper nouns within the title are capitalized. The rest of the words remain in lowercase.
- Example: O senhor dos anéis (The Lord of the Rings)
6. Titles and Forms of Address
When used as part of a name, titles such as Senhor (Mr.), Senhora (Mrs.), Doutor (Dr.), or Professor (Prof.) are capitalized. If used generically or not attached to a name, they are not capitalized.
- Example: Senhor João, Professora Maria
7. Institutions, Companies, and Organizations
The names of institutions, companies, brands, and official organizations are capitalized.
- Example: Banco do Brasil, Organização das Nações Unidas (United Nations)
8. Acronyms and Initialisms
Acronyms and initialisms are written in uppercase, just as in English.
- Example: ONU (UN), UE (EU)
9. Religious References
References to God (Deus) or religious figures are capitalized, while common nouns like “deus” (when referring to a god in general) are not.
- Example: Deus, Bíblia, Jesus Cristo
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many learners, especially English speakers, tend to overcapitalize in Portuguese. Remember that adjectives derived from place names, languages, and demonyms should remain in lowercase, unless at the beginning of a sentence. Also, resist the urge to capitalize every important word in a title.
Tips for Practicing Capitalization in Portuguese
- Read authentic Portuguese texts such as newspapers, books, and websites to see capitalization rules in context.
- Write sentences and short paragraphs, paying close attention to which words are capitalized.
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to receive instant feedback on your writing and improve your accuracy.
Conclusion
Understanding the rules for capitalization in Portuguese is crucial for clear and correct writing. While there are similarities to English, the differences are important and can influence how your writing is perceived. By following these guidelines and practicing regularly—especially with resources like Talkpal’s AI language learning blog—you’ll quickly develop a solid grasp of Portuguese capitalization. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon write like a native!
