A gente (A1) | Brazilian Portuguese Grammar Guide | Falando

The Core Idea

A gente is the default spoken Brazilian way to say "we". It means the same as nós in many contexts, but it takes third-person singular verbs.
Without "a gente", everyday Brazilian Portuguese sounds stiffer than real conversation. This pattern appears constantly in speech, messaging, interviews, and casual writing.

Structure Snapshot

a gente + 3rd person singular verb

Main Rules at a Glance

Step	Rule
Rule 1	"A gente" is the most common spoken Brazilian subject for "we".
Rule 2	Use third-person singular verbs: "a gente vai", "a gente mora", "a gente gosta".
Rule 3	Use "nós" more often in careful writing, presentations, and some regional speech.
Rule 4	Subject pronouns can still be dropped later in the sentence: "Quando a gente chega, conversa".

How It Works

"A gente" is the most common spoken Brazilian subject for "we".
Use third-person singular verbs: "a gente vai", "a gente mora", "a gente gosta".
Use "nós" more often in careful writing, presentations, and some regional speech.
Subject pronouns can still be dropped later in the sentence: "Quando a gente chega, conversa".

Usage and Register

With adjectives and participles, singular agreement is the safest default: "a gente está cansado/cansada".
In very informal speech, some people mix "a gente" with plural forms, but that is not the neutral standard.

Examples in Context

Portuguese	Meaning
A gente vai depois.	We're going later.
A gente mora perto daqui.	We live near here.
A gente se fala amanhã.	We'll talk tomorrow.
Hoje a gente não trabalha.	We aren't working today.
Quando a gente chega, liga pra você.	When we arrive, we call you.
A gente vai mais tarde.	We're going later.
A gente mora aqui.	We live here.
Quando a gente chega, liga pra ela.	When we arrive, we call her.

Common Pitfalls

Keep "nós" in formal writing, public speeches, and when you want a more careful tone.
Avoid mixing "a gente" with plural verbs in neutral writing.

A gente as everyday "we"