Mastering the 25 Most Common Irregular Portuguese Verbs

In this post we’ll learn the 25 most common irregular Portuguese Verbs. Remember that most Portuguese verbs follow regular, predictable conjugations. You can learn more about regular Portuguese verbs in this post.

Many common Portuguese verbs are irregular, including a lot of very high frequency verbs like ser (to be), ter (to have), ir (to go), and fazer (to do). These verbs don’t follow the predictable pattern, so you have to memorize their irregularities. Typically, the irregularities are one of the following:

• the stem (the base form changes)
• the first-person singular (eu) form is irregular
• certain endings don’t follow the standard -ar / -er / -ir patterns, especially the third person singular, which often ends in a consonant in irregulars.

Below you’ll find 25 of the most common Portuguese irregular verbs. For each one you’ll see the meaning and the present tense conjugation. Then you’ll have three examples in the present tense so you can see how each verb is used.

Note about Brazilian Portuguese Pronouns and Verbs in the Present Tense

Before we see the irregular verbs, let’s pause to keep just a few notes in mind when using Portuguese pronouns and conjugating Portuguese verbs:

• The subject pronouns that are most commonly used in Brazil are eu (I), você (you), ele (he), ela (she), nós (we), vocês (you, plural), eles (they, masculine or mixed), and elas (they, feminine).
• To show respect, there are also more polite forms of you: o senhor (you, sir), a senhora (you, ma’am), os senhores (you, gentlemen),and as senhoras (you, ladies). These use the same verb forms as você and vocês.
• There is a casual or intimate pronoun tu, meaning you, but its use is limited in Brazil. You may hear it in the south or northeast of Brazil, but você is more standard.
• The pronoun vós is a plural polite form of you, but it is rarely used in Brazil, where it’s replaced by vocês, os senhores, or as senhoras.
• All Portuguese subject pronouns are typically dropped, unless the speaker is emphasizing the subject, for example in contrast to someone else.
• You can negate a verb by putting não (not) right before the verb.
• Use nunca (or jamais) to mean never, placing it right before the verb.
• Put nao before a verb and mais after it to mean no more or no longer.
• Use nada or não… nada to mean nothing or not anything.

1. ser (to be – permanent identity)

The verb ser (to be) is used to express permanent or identity or inherent qualities. Portuguese uses two other verbs to mean be. You can learn about them in this post.

• eu sou
• (tu és)
• você/ele/ela é
• nós somos
• vocês/eles/elas são

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ser (to be) in context.

• Eu sou professor.
  I am a teacher.
• Ela é muito inteligente.
  She is very intelligent.
• Eles são brasileiros.
  They are Brazilian.

2. estar (to be – temporary state/location)

The verb estar (to be) is used to express temporary states or locations. Portuguese uses two other verbs to mean be. You can learn about them in this post.

• eu estou
• (tu estás)
• você/ele/ela está
• nós estamos
• vocês/eles/elas estão

Let’s see a few examples of the verb estar (to be) in context.

• Eu estou cansado hoje.
  I am tired today.
• Onde você está?
  Where are you?
• As crianças estão na escola.
  The children are at school.

3. ter (to have)

The verb ter means have.

• eu tenho
• (tu tens)
• você/ele/ela tem
• nós temos
• vocês/eles/elas têm

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ter (to have) in context.

• Eu tenho dois irmãos.
  I have two siblings.
• Ela tem muito trabalho.
  She has a lot of work.
• Nós temos tempo agora.
  We have time now.

Ter is also used as an auxiliary in certain compound tenses, for example the pretérito perfeito composto or the mais-que-perfeito composto.

• Eu tenho estudado muito ultimamente.
  I’ve been studying a lot lately.
• Ela tem trabalhado demais.
  She has been working too much.
• Eu tinha feito isso.
  I had done that.

4. ir (to go)

The verb ir means go. All of the forms begin with v.

• eu vou
• (tu vais)
• você/ele/ela vai
• nós vamos
• vocês/eles/elas vão

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ir (to go) in context.

• Eu vou ao mercado.
  I go to the market.
• Ele vai para casa cedo.
  He goes home early.
• Nós vamos de carro.
  We go by car.

Ir is used as an auxiliary in the near future, the equivalent to going to do in English. In Brazilian Portuguese, ir is followed directly by an infinitive.

• Eu vou estudar hoje.
  I’m going to study today.
• Ela vai viajar amanhã.
  She’s going to travel tomorrow.
• Nós vamos comer fora.
  We’re going to eat out.

5. vir (to come)

The verb vir means to come.

• eu venho
• (tu vens)
• você/ele/ela vem
• nós vimos
• vocês/eles/elas vêm

Let’s see a few examples of the verb vir (to come) in context.

• Eu venho de São Paulo.
  I come from São Paulo.
• Ela vem aqui todo dia.
  She comes here every day.
• Eles vêm amanhã.
  They are coming tomorrow.

6. fazer (to do / to make)

The verb fazer means to do or to make. The irregularities are in the eu form, and the third person singular form ends in a consonant.

• eu faço
• (tu fazes)
• você/ele/ela faz
• nós fazemos
• vocês/eles/elas fazem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb fazer (to do/make) in context.

• Eu faço exercício todos os dias.
  I exercise every day.
• Ele faz o jantar.
  He makes dinner.
• Vocês fazem muito barulho.
  You all make a lot of noise.

7. dizer (to say / to tell)

The verb dizer means to say or to tell. The irregularities are in the eu form, and the third person singular form ends in a consonant.

• eu digo
• (tu dizes)
• você/ele/ela diz
• nós dizemos
• vocês/eles/elas dizem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb dizer (to say/tell) in context.

• Eu digo a verdade.
  I tell the truth.
• Ela diz que está feliz.
  She says she is happy.
• Eles dizem isso sempre.
  They say that all the time.

8. querer (to want)

The verb querer means to want. The main irregularity is that the third person singular ends in a consonant.

• eu quero
• (tu queres)
• você/ele/ela quer
• nós queremos
• vocês/eles/elas querem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb querer (to want) in context. Notice that it can be followed by a noun (to want something) or an infinitive (to want to do something.)

• Eu quero um café.
  I want a coffee.
• Você quer sair hoje?
  Do you want to go out today?
• Eles querem aprender português.
  They want to learn Portuguese.

9. poder (to be able to / can)

The verb poder means can or be able to.

• eu posso
• (tu podes)
• você/ele/ela pode
• nós podemos
• vocês/eles/elas podem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb poder in context. Notice that it’s typically followed by an infinitive.

• Eu posso ajudar você.
  I can help you.
• Ela pode vir mais tarde.
  She can come later.
• Vocês podem entrar.
  You all may/can come in.

10. saber (to know a fact / to know how)

The verb saber means to know as in to know a fact or to know how to do something. It’s not used to mean to be familiar with; for that, use the regular verb conhecer. The only irregularity in saber is in the eu form.

• eu sei
• (tu sabes)
• você/ele/ela sabe
• nós sabemos
• vocês/eles/elas sabem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb saber (to know) in context.

• Eu sei a resposta.
  I know the answer.
• Ele sabe falar inglês.
  He knows how to speak English.
• Eles sabem tudo.
  They know everything.

11. ver (to see)

The verb ver means to see.

• eu vejo
• (tu vês)
• você/ele/ela vê
• nós vemos
• vocês/eles/elas veem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ver (to see) in context.

• Eu vejo televisão à noite.
  I watch TV at night.
• Ela vê o problema.
  She sees the problem.
• Eles veem muitos filmes.
  They watch many movies.

12. dar (to give)

The verb dar means to give.

• eu dou
• (tu dás)
• você/ele/ela dá
• nós damos
• vocês/eles/elas dão

Let’s see a few examples of the verb dar (to give) in context.

• Eu dou um presente para ela.
  I give her a gift.
• Ele dá aulas de música.
  He gives music lessons.
• Eles dão dinheiro para a caridade.
  They give money to charity.

13. trazer (to bring)

The verb trazer means to bring. The final stem consonant is g in the eu form, and the third person singular ends in a consonant.

• eu trago
• (tu trazes)
• você/ele/ela traz
• nós trazemos
• vocês/eles/elas trazem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb trazer (to bring) in context.

• Eu trago meu computador.
  I bring my computer.
• Ela traz comida para o trabalho.
  She brings food to work.
• Vocês trazem boas notícias.
  You bring good news.

14. pôr (to put)

The verb pôr means to put. It is sometimes also used to mean to put on clothes.

• eu ponho
• (tu pões)
• você/ele/ela põe
• nós pomos
• vocês/eles/elas põem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb pôr (to put) in context.

• Eu ponho açúcar no café.
  I put sugar in coffee.
• Ela põe o livro na mesa.
  She puts the book on the table.
• Eles põem música alta.
  They put loud music on.
• Ela põe o casaco.
  She puts on the coat.

15. pedir (to ask for / request)

The verb pedir means to ask for or to request. The only irregularity is in the eu form.

• eu peço
• (tu pedes)
• você/ele/ela pede
• nós pedimos
• vocês/eles/elas pedem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb pedir (to ask for/to request) in context.

• Eu peço ajuda.
  I ask for help.
• Ele pede uma pizza.
  He orders a pizza.
• Eles pedem desculpas.
  They apologize / ask for forgiveness.

16. ouvir (to hear / listen to)

The verb ouvir means to hear or to listen to.

• eu ouço
• (tu ouves)
• você/ele/ela ouve
• nós ouvimos
• vocês/eles/elas ouvem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ouvir (to hear/listen to) in context.

• Eu ouço música no carro.
  I listen to music in the car.
• Ela ouve o professor.
  She listens to the teacher.
• Eles ouvem rádio de manhã.
  They listen to the radio in the morning.

17. sentir (to feel)

The verb sentir means to feel. The only irregularity is that the e changes to i in the eu form.

• eu sinto
• (tu sentes)
• você/ele/ela sente
• nós sentimos
• vocês/eles/elas sentem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb sentir (to feel) in context.

• Eu sinto frio.
  I feel cold.
• Ela sente saudade da família.
  She misses her family.
• Eles sentem medo.
  They feel afraid.

18. dormir (to sleep)

The verb dormir means to sleep.

• eu durmo
• (tu dormes)
• você/ele/ela dorme
• nós dormimos
• vocês/eles/elas dormem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb dormir (to sleep) in context.

• Eu durmo cedo durante a semana.
  I sleep early during the week.
• Ele dorme muito.
  He sleeps a lot.
• Nós dormimos no hotel.
  We sleep at the hotel.

19. servir (to serve)

The verb servir means to serve. Its only irregular is that the e change to i in the eu form.

• eu sirvo
• (tu serves)
• você/ele/ela serve
• nós servimos
• vocês/eles/elas servem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb servir (to serve) in context.

• Eu sirvo café de manhã.
  I serve coffee in the morning.
• Esse restaurante serve peixe.
  This restaurant serves fish.
• Eles servem comida muito boa.
  They serve very good food.

20. ler (to read)

The verb ler means to read.

• eu leio
• (tu lês)
• você/ele/ela lê
• nós lemos
• vocês/eles/elas leem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb ler (to read) in context.

• Eu leio livros em português.
  I read books in Portuguese.
• Ela lê rápido.
  She reads fast.
• Eles leem o jornal.
  They read the newspaper.

21. perder (to lose)

The verb perder means to lose.  It is only irregular in the eu form.

• eu perco
• (tu perdes)
• você/ele/ela perde
• nós perdemos
• vocês/eles/elas perdem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb perder (to lose) in context.

• Eu perco minhas chaves sempre.
  I always lose my keys.
• Ele perde o ônibus.
  He misses the bus.
• Eles perdem muito tempo.
  They waste a lot of time.

22. crer (to believe)

The verb crer means to believe.  It is irregular in the eu form, and takes the diacritic ê.

• eu creio
• (tu crês)
• você/ele/ela crê
• nós cremos
• vocês/eles/elas creem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb crer (to believe) in context.

• Eu creio em Deus.
  I believe in God.
• Tu crês nisso?
  Do you believe that?
• Eles creem que é verdade.
  They believe it’s true.

23. rir (to laugh)

The verb rir means to laugh.  

• eu rio
• tu ris
• você/ele/ela ri
• nós rimos
• vocês/eles/elas riem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb crer (to believe) in context.

• Eu rio muito com esse filme.
  I laugh a lot at that movie.
• Tu ris de tudo.
  You laugh at everything.
• Eles riem alto.
  They laugh loudly.

24. caber (to fit)

The verb caber means to fit. It is only irregular in the eu form.

• eu caibo
• (tu cabes)
• você/ele/ela cabe
• nós cabemos
• vocês/eles/elas cabem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb caber (to fit) in context.

• Eu não caibo nessa cadeira.
  I don’t fit in this chair.
• livro cabe na mochila.
  The book fits in the backpack.
• Essas roupas não cabem em mim.
  These clothes don’t fit me.

25. sair (to leave / go out)

The verb sair means to leave or to go out.

• eu saio
• (tu sais)
• você/ele/ela sai
• nós saímos
• vocês/eles/elas saem

Let’s see a few examples of the verb sair (to leave/go out) in context.

• Eu saio de casa às oito.
  I leave home at eight.
• Ela sai com os amigos.
  She goes out with friends.
• Eles saem cedo do trabalho.
  They leave work early.

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