Learning how to express the word “but” in Portuguese is essential for developing fluency in the language. Whether you want to have conversations with native speakers, write formal emails, or simply understand Portuguese texts, mastering this conjunction will greatly improve your language skills. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various ways to say “but” in Portuguese, including formal and informal options, while providing you with tips and examples along the way. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “But” in Portuguese
1. No entanto: This phrase is commonly used in formal writing and speaking situations. It is equivalent to “however” or “nevertheless” in English.
Example: Eu concordo com você no entanto, acho que devemos considerar outras opções. (I agree with you, however, I think we should consider other options.)
2. Contudo: Similar to “nevertheless” or “nonetheless” in English, this word is a formal alternative to “but”.
Example: O projeto é desafiador, contudo estou motivado a enfrentar os obstáculos. (The project is challenging, but I am motivated to overcome the obstacles.)
3. Todavia: Another option for expressing “but” formally, “todavia” translates to “nevertheless” or “yet” in English.
Example: Ela estuda muito para as provas, todavia não consegue obter notas altas. (She studies a lot for exams, yet she can’t achieve high grades.)
4. Entretanto: This word is ideal for formal contexts and can be translated as “however” or “yet”.
Example: A empresa enfrenta dificuldades financeiras, entretanto continua funcionando. (The company is facing financial difficulties; however, it continues to operate.)
Informal Ways to Say “But” in Portuguese
1. Mas: This is the most common and versatile way to say “but” in Portuguese, suitable for both formal and informal situations.
Example: Eu gostaria de ir ao cinema, mas estou ocupado hoje à noite. (I would like to go to the movies, but I am busy tonight.)
2. Porém: Similar to “but” in English, “porém” can be used in both casual and formal conversations.
Example: Eu adoro música clássica, porém também aprecio rock. (I love classical music, but I also appreciate rock music.)
3. Já: Though it has various meanings, “já” can be used as an informal way to express “but” in certain situations.
Example: Eu sei que deveria estudar, já estou cansado. (I know I should study, but I am already tired.)
Additional Tips and Examples
- When deciding which word to use, consider the context and level of formality. In general, “mas” and “porém” are safe choices for most situations.
- Regional variations exist in Portuguese. For example, in Brazil, “só que” is a popular colloquial way to express “but”. However, these regional variations are not essential for basic fluency.
- To emphasize the opposite idea, you can use “ao invés de” to say “instead of” after the conjunction.
- Experiment with different ways to say “but” to enrich your vocabulary and speak more naturally. Practice using them in conversations or writing exercises.
Example: Eu queria viajar para a praia, mas ao invés disso, decidi explorar as montanhas. (I wanted to travel to the beach, but instead, I decided to explore the mountains.)
Remember, the key to becoming proficient in Portuguese is practice. The more you use these different expressions for “but” in various contexts, the more natural and confident you will become. So, embrace the beauty of the Portuguese language, have fun with it, and enjoy your language learning journey!
