What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of estou (I am), aprendendo (learning) and português (Portuguese).
Which one should you use?
While estou aprendendo português is the standard way to express this, you might also say Tô aprendendo português or Tô estudando português in more casual settings. Another variation, Estou me dedicando ao aprendizado do português, shifts the meaning slightly to "I am dedicating myself to learning Portuguese."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the gerund aprendendo is the standard way to express a continuous action. However, in Portugal, it is more common to use the preposition a followed by the infinitive, such as estou a aprender português.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb aprendendo is the gerund form of aprender and is used here to indicate a continuous action that is currently in progress. It is important to use estou (from the verb estar) rather than sou (from the verb ser), because learning is viewed as a temporary state or an ongoing process rather than a permanent characteristic.
Did you know?
- The word português is actually named after a specific city, not a people or a land. It derives from 'Portus Cale', which was the ancient name for the city of Porto.
- The word português shares a distant root with the English word 'port', both tracing back to the Latin portus meaning 'harbor'.
- The word português uses the suffix -ês, which is the standard way in Portuguese to create adjectives and nouns referring to nationality or origin.
Examples in context
- Estou aprendendo português.I am learning Portuguese.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase estou aprendendo português.Tatoeba #11906631 by ajdavidl, translation #8386768 by Adelpa
- No momento, estou aprendendo português para me preparar para minha viagem ao Brasil.Right now, I am learning Portuguese to prepare for my trip to Brazil.
- Tô estudando português porque quero assistir filmes brasileiros sem legenda.I am learning Portuguese because I want to watch Brazilian movies without subtitles.
- Estou me dedicando ao aprendizado do português porque desejo trabalhar com empresas lusófonas.I am dedicating myself to learning Portuguese because I want to work with Portuguese-speaking companies.
- Tô aprendendo português só para poder cantar as músicas do meu cantor favorito.I am learning Portuguese just so I can sing the songs of my favorite singer.
- Estou aprendendo português na escola.I am learning Portuguese at school.
- Agora estou aprendendo português sozinha.Now I am learning Portuguese by myself.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Juliana are talking about their studies at a café.
- GabrielJuliana, você fala português?Juliana, do you speak Portuguese?
- JulianaNão, mas estou aprendendo português agora.No, but I am learning Portuguese now.
- GabrielQue bom! Eu também estou aprendendo.That's good! I am learning too.
- JulianaPodemos praticar juntos então!We can practice together then!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estou, português, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
