estou aprendendo
The Portuguese phrase for "I am learning" is estou aprendendo.
This phrase is a statement used to say that you are currently in the process of acquiring a new skill or knowledge.
Which one should you use?
Use estou aprendendo to describe an ongoing process, whereas aprendi would mean "I learned" (a completed action).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
estou aprendendo is also used in informal settings. In casual spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the verb estou is frequently shortened to tô, resulting in the informal contraction tô aprendendo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you may also use estou estudando to mean "I am studying" when referring to learning in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous tense, formed by the verb estar (to be) and the gerund aprendendo.
Did you know?
- The word estou comes from the Latin word stō, which means 'to stand'.
- In many parts of Portugal, instead of using the gerund aprendendo, people often say estou a aprender to express the same ongoing action.
- The word aprendendo is a gerund, a form that is used far more frequently in spoken Brazilian Portuguese than in almost any other Romance language.
Examples in context
- Eu estou aprendendo árabeI am learning Arabic.This example shows how to use estou aprendendo with a language.Tatoeba #8299047 by JGEN, translation #2669861 by silesian
- Eu estou aprendendo turco.I am learning Turkish.Tatoeba #2595016 by alexmarcelo, translation #860098 by piksea
- Estou aprendendo a dirigir.I am learning how to drive.This example shows how to use estou aprendendo to describe learning a skill.Tatoeba #4793688 by anthrax26, translation #2940783 by Hakaku
- Professor, estou aprendendo português e gostaria de receber mais exercícios.Professor, I am learning Portuguese and would like to receive more exercises.
- Desculpe, agente da imigração, ainda estou aprendendo a falar português.Sorry, immigration officer, I am still learning to speak Portuguese.
- Cara, estou aprendendo a falar português, você pode me ajudar?Dude, I am learning to speak Portuguese, can you help me?
- Tô aprendendo português com a ajuda de um aplicativo no meu telefone.I'm learning Portuguese with the help of an app on my phone.
- Tô estudando português porque quero visitar o Brasil um dia.I am studying Portuguese because I want to visit Brazil one day.
- Estou aprendendo a língua portuguesa e espero visitar Portugal em breve.I am learning the Portuguese language and hope to visit Portugal soon.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana are talking about their hobbies.
- LucasEstou aprendendo a tocar violão.I am learning to play the guitar.
- JulianaQue legal! É difícil?How cool! Is it difficult?
- LucasUm pouco, mas eu gosto muito.A little, but I like it a lot.
- JulianaVocê terá que tocar para mim.You will have to play for me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
