Quick answer
Sempre says every time. Nunca says not at any time.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
sempre
always
Use sempre for something that happens every time or very regularly.
nunca
never
Use nunca for something that does not happen at any time.
How to choose
- sempre: Choose sempre if the sentence points to something that happens every time or very regularly.
- nunca: Choose nunca if the sentence points to something that does not happen at any time.
Examples
Eu sempre tomo cafe cedo.
I always have coffee early.
Nunca fui a Manaus.
I have never been to Manaus.
Common trap
Nunca can stand before the verb without another no: nunca fui, not nao nunca fui.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with sempre, then once with nunca. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese step by step
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