A1Lesson 6: Accents & Stress Patterns
Brazilian Portuguese extensively uses informal contractions in speech and casual writing, combining prepositions with articles and pronouns in ways not found in formal grammar books but essential for understanding real conversations.
pra = para a (to the/for the)
pro = para o (to the/for the)
numa = em uma (in a)
dum/duma = de um/de uma (of a)
dessa/desse = de essa/de esse (of this)
nessa/nesse = em essa/em esse (in this)
Universal in spoken Brazilian Portuguese
Increasingly accepted in informal writing
Nobody says "para a" in Brazil – they say "pra"! These contractions are so common that NOT using them makes you sound like a textbook. From asking "Pra onde você vai?" (Where are you going?) to saying "Tô numa festa" (I'm at a party), these forms are essential for understanding Brazilians and sounding natural in daily conversation.
preposition + article/pronoun = colloquial contraction
Sign up to save your progress, practice exercises and unlock all grammar content.
| Formal | Colloquial | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| para a | pra | Vou pra praia | I'm going to the beach |
| para o | pro | Olha pro céu | Look at the sky |
| para as | pras | Flores pras meninas | Flowers for the girls |
| para os | pros | Livros pros alunos | Books for the students |
"Pra onde você vai?" (Where are you going?)
"Tô numa reunião" (I'm in a meeting)
"É pra hoje?" (Is it for today?)
"Olha pro lado" (Look to the side)
"Dessa vez vai dar certo" (This time it'll work)
"Vamos pro cinema?" (Shall we go to the movies?)
"Pra que horas?" (For what time?)
"Encontro você na esquina" (I'll meet you at the corner)
"Nessa sexta?" (This Friday?)
Academic papers
Business emails
Official documents
News articles
✅ "Para ela" (not "prela")
✅ "Para ele" (not "prele")
But: "Pra mim" is OK
Get full access to grammar lessons, exercises, vocabulary and personalized review with a free Falando account.