e
/i/
e is the Portuguese word for English 'and'.
e is a conjunction used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera. It can also function as a noun in the context of logic.
Meaning: used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj)
Which one should you use?
While e is the standard way to say 'and', you can use the formal alternative além disso to mean 'moreover' or 'besides that'. In informal speech, the expression e aí? is used to mean 'and then?' or 'so?'
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When listing multiple items in Portuguese, there is no need to use a comma before e.
How do you pronounce it?
/i/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse e (meaning 'and') with é (meaning 'is'), as the latter is pronounced with an open 'eh' sound.
Did you know?
- The word e is inherited from the Latin word et. This same Latin root is why English uses the symbol '&', which is known as an ampersand.
- In many Portuguese dialects, particularly in parts of Brazil, the word e is often reduced to a very short, almost invisible sound in rapid speech, sounding more like a tiny 'i' than the full vowel.
- When e is used to introduce a consequence, such as in estudou e passou ('he studied and passed'), it can sometimes be interpreted as 'and so'. This allows it to imply causality without using a separate word for 'therefore'.
Examples in context
- E por que não?And why not?This example shows the use of e to start a question.Tatoeba #1227713 by alexmarcelo, translation #1039433 by GPHemsley
- Não, não e não!No, no, and furthermore, no!This example shows e used to emphasize a repeated point.Tatoeba #1220100 by alexmarcelo, translation #1490778 by niceguydave
- E não me tente.And don't tempt me.This example shows e at the beginning of a command.Tatoeba #2144871 by MarlonX19, translation #2144557 by oneconor
- Maria e João estão estudando.Maria and João are studying.
- O livro e a caneta estão na mesa.The book and the pen are on the table.
- Ele estudou muito e, além disso, praticou esportes.He studied a lot, and besides that, he practiced sports.
- Vamos ao cinema e aí a gente janta?Let's go to the movies, and then we grab dinner?
- Eu terminei meu trabalho e aí fui passear no parque.I finished my work, and then I went for a walk in the park.
- 18324 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Mariana are deciding what to buy at the market.
- FelipeEu quero maçãs e bananas.I want apples and bananas.
- MarianaEu também quero pão e leite.I also want bread and milk.
- FelipeVocê quer café e açúcar?Do you want coffee and sugar?
- MarianaSim, e vamos levar água.Yes, and let's take water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “and” translations and entries e, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries e, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
