é
/ˈɛ/
The English phrase "is" is translated into Portuguese as é.
é is used to describe permanent or essential characteristics of a person or thing.
Which one should you use?
While é describes essential characteristics, the verb está is used to express temporary states, conditions, feelings or locations. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, you may also encounter the slang variation tá, which is a shortened form of está.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, when describing ongoing actions, the construction está a is commonly used instead of just está.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about the past, you can use era (the imperfect form) to describe ongoing states or characteristics or foi (the preterite form) to describe a completed state or event. For the present tense, é is used with singular subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛ/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, é can be used as an emphatic particle to confirm a statement. In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, a short é! can mean 'that is exactly the case'.
- The distinction between é and está allows Portuguese speakers to be subtly ironic. By using está for a trait that is usually permanent, a speaker can suggest that the quality is only appearing today.
- The Portuguese word é is an exact cognate of the English 'is', both descending from the same Latin ancestor, 'est'.
Examples in context
- É o que é.It is what it is.This sentence shows how to use é to state a tautology.Tatoeba #2781340 by carlosalberto, translation #2528426 by CK
- É o meu CD.This is my CD.This sentence demonstrates using é to identify an object.Tatoeba #1201104 by alexmarcelo, translation #397347 by sysko
- O cão é teu.The dog is yours.This sentence shows how to use é to express possession or relationship.Tatoeba #1141623 by alexmarcelo, translation #897307 by Scott
- O livro é azul.The book is blue.
- Ela está cansada.She is tired.
- Ele tá atrasado.He is late.
- Ele está a trabalhar.He is working.
- A praia fica ali.The beach is over there.
- A casa é grande.The house is big.
- Ela está estudando português.She is studying Portuguese.
- Ele é meu amigo.He is my friend.
- 12149 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Mariana are talking in a cafe.
- MarianaO café é bom.The coffee is good.
- GabrielSim, é muito bom.Yes, it is very good.
- MarianaO bolo é de chocolate?Is the cake chocolate?
- GabrielNão, é de morango.No, it is strawberry.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry é, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries é, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
