Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “belong” in Portuguese! In this article, we will explore both the formal and informal ways of expressing ownership or belonging in Portuguese. Additionally, we will touch upon any regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive in and get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Belong”
In formal settings, you may need to use more polite or professional language to express the concept of belonging. Here are a few common phrases and examples:
1. Pertencer
The most straightforward translation for “belong” in its formal sense is “pertencer.” Let’s see this word in action with some examples:
João pertence àquela organização. (João belongs to that organization.)
Esta casa pertence à minha família. (This house belongs to my family.)
A responsabilidade pertence a nós agora. (The responsibility belongs to us now.)
2. Ser de
Another formal alternative for “belong” is “ser de.” This phrase is often used to indicate ownership or origin. Take a look at these examples:
O quadro é daquele artista famoso. (The painting belongs to that famous artist.)
A residência é do senhor Oliveira. (The residence belongs to Mr. Oliveira.)
Estes documentos são da empresa. (These documents belong to the company.)
Informal Ways to Say “Belong”
When speaking in a casual or informal setting, you can use alternative expressions to convey the idea of belonging. Let’s explore some informal phrases commonly used by native Portuguese speakers:
1. Ser de alguém
A common way to express belonging informally is by using the phrase “ser de alguém,” which means “to be someone’s.” Here are a few examples:
Esta caneta é minha, não empresto para ninguém. (This pen is mine, I don’t lend it to anyone.)
Aquele carro é dele, cuidado para não riscar. (That car is his, be careful not to scratch it.)
Estes livros são nossos, não os percam. (These books are ours, don’t lose them.)
2. Fazer parte de
Another informal expression to denote belonging is “fazer parte de,” which means “to be a part of.” Let’s see some examples:
Eu faço parte desse grupo de dança. (I belong to this dance group.)
Elas fazem parte da equipe de futebol. (They belong to the soccer team.)
Nós fazemos parte desta comunidade. (We belong to this community.)
Regional Variations
Portuguese is spoken in various regions around the world, and there might be slight differences in the way people express the concept of belonging. Let’s take a quick look at two regional variations:
1. Brazilian Portuguese
In Brazilian Portuguese, the phrase “Ser de” is commonly used to convey the idea of belonging. For example:
Aquela casa é do meu irmão. (That house belongs to my brother.)
Os documentos são da empresa. (The documents belong to the company.)
2. European Portuguese
In European Portuguese, the phrase “pertencer a” is often preferred to express possession or belonging. Let’s see it in action:
O quadro pertence ao pintor famoso. (The painting belongs to the famous artist.)
A responsabilidade pertence a nós. (The responsibility belongs to us.)
Tips for Using “Belong” in Portuguese
Appropriately using the word “belong” in Portuguese requires some practice. Here are a few tips to help you along:
1. Pay Attention to Gender and Number
Like many other words in Portuguese, the verb “pertencer” and its alternatives must agree with gender and number. For example:
Esta camisa pertence à minha irmã. (This shirt belongs to my sister.)
Estes sapatos são meus. (These shoes are mine.)
Aquela bicicleta é da minha amiga. (That bicycle belongs to my friend.)
2. Practice Verb Conjugation
Ensure you practice verb conjugations to correctly use “pertencer,” “ser de,” or “fazer parte de” in different tenses and moods. This will help you express ownership and belonging accurately. Here’s an example in the present tense:
Eu pertenço a este clube. (I belong to this club.)
Tu pertences à família da Maria. (You belong to Maria’s family.)
Ele/ela pertence à empresa há muitos anos. (He/she has belonged to the company for many years.)
Nós pertencemos a esta comunidade. (We belong to this community.)
Vocês pertencem ao time de futebol. (You belong to the soccer team.)
Eles/elas pertencem aos voluntários. (They belong to the volunteers.)
In Conclusion
Now that you’re equipped with knowledge of formal and informal ways to say “belong” in Portuguese, you can confidently express the concept of ownership or belonging in various contexts. Remember to pay attention to regional variations, gender, number, and verb conjugation. Practice is key to mastering this essential vocabulary. Enjoy your language learning journey and feel at home with Portuguese!
