Background and events
Contrast background with completed or . The imperfect of regular -er/-ir uses -ia, -ias, -ia, -íamos, -iam, -iam: .
imperfect is . means while; begin with short familiar clauses. Past gives a state or age, while describes a completed episode. Do not use English-style have plus participle for a single completed Portuguese event.
| Person | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| I used to sleep | ||
| I used to sleep | ||
| you (familiar singular) used to sleep | ||
| you (familiar singular) used to sleep | ||
| · | he · she used to sleep | |
| he · she used to sleep | ||
| we used to sleep | ||
| we used to sleep | ||
| you (plural) used to sleep | ||
| you (plural) used to sleep | ||
| · | they used to sleep | |
| they used to sleep | ||
A Maria estava a dormir.Maria was sleeping.
Eu fechei os olhos.I closed my eyes.
Nós comíamos pão.We used to eat bread.
Eles dormiam aqui.They used to sleep here.
O João tinha dez anos.João was ten years old.
A Maria viu o gato.Maria saw the cat.
Sou novo aqui. O João tinha dez anos.I am new here. João was ten years old.
Sou nova aqui. O João tinha dez anos.I am new here. João was ten years old.
Sou novo aqui. A Maria viu o gato.I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Sou nova aqui. A Maria viu o gato.I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
Maria was sleeping.
.
I closed my eyes.
.
We used to eat bread.
.
They used to sleep here.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form 1
Choose the right word for the gap.
A Maria a dormir.
Maria was sleeping.
Eu os olhos.
I closed my eyes.
Nós pão.
We used to eat bread.
Eles aqui.
They used to sleep here.
O João dez anos.
João was ten years old.
A Maria o gato.
Maria saw the cat.
Sou novo aqui. O João dez anos.
I am new here. João was ten years old.
Sou nova aqui. O João dez anos.
I am new here. João was ten years old.
Choose the form 2
Choose the right word for the gap.
Eu aqui ontem.
I was sleeping here yesterday.
Tu aqui ontem.
You (familiar singular) were sleeping here yesterday.
Ele aqui ontem.
He was sleeping here yesterday.
Nós aqui ontem.
We were sleeping here yesterday.
Vocês aqui ontem.
You (plural) were sleeping here yesterday.
Sou novo aqui. A Maria o gato.
I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Sou nova aqui. A Maria o gato.
I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Use the form 1
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
A Maria a dormir.
Maria was sleeping.
Eu os olhos.
I closed my eyes.
Nós pão.
We used to eat bread.
Eles aqui.
They used to sleep here.
O João dez anos.
João was ten years old.
A Maria o gato.
Maria saw the cat.
Sou novo aqui. O João dez anos.
I am new here. João was ten years old.
Sou nova aqui. O João dez anos.
I am new here. João was ten years old.
Use the form 2
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Eu aqui ontem.
I was sleeping here yesterday.
Tu aqui ontem.
You (familiar singular) were sleeping here yesterday.
Ele aqui ontem.
He was sleeping here yesterday.
Nós aqui ontem.
We were sleeping here yesterday.
Vocês aqui ontem.
You (plural) were sleeping here yesterday.
Sou novo aqui. A Maria o gato.
I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Sou nova aqui. A Maria o gato.
I am new here. Maria saw the cat.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
Maria was sleeping.
I closed my eyes.
We used to eat bread.
They used to sleep here.
João was ten years old.
Maria saw the cat.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Maria was sleeping.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
Maria was sleeping.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
I closed my eyes.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
I closed my eyes.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
We used to eat bread.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
We used to eat bread.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
They used to sleep here.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
They used to sleep here.
You say:
Use the meaning and Portuguese pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
