Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mesmo | /ˈmez.mu/ (Brazil) /ˈmẽ.mu/ (Brazil) |
masculine |
| o mesmo | /u ˈmez.mu/ (Brazil) |
mesmo is used to indicate that something is not different or is identical. It can function as an adjective meaning 'same', a pronoun meaning 'the same thing' or 'something similar' or an adverb meaning 'even' or 'actually'. When using it as a pronoun to mean 'the same thing', it is standard to precede it with the definite article o for masculine or a for feminine.
Which one should you use?
While mesmo typically means 'same', it can also function as an adverb meaning 'even' or 'actually' (for example, to say 'He himself said it' or 'He is actually like that').
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, it is common to use the form o mesmo to mean 'the same'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, mesmo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: use mesma for feminine singular, mesmos for masculine plural and mesmas for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmez.mu/
Did you know?
- The word mesmo is a linguistic 'superlative', originating from a Latin construction that combined an emphatic suffix and a superlative suffix to create a sense of extreme identity.
- While o mesmo is used frequently in Portugal to mean 'the same', some Brazilian grammarians discourage using it as a pronoun to avoid repetition in formal writing.
- In Portuguese, mesmo can be used as a filler word to express confirmation or surprise, similar to how an English speaker might use 'really' or 'indeed'.
Examples in context
- Eu faria o mesmo.I would do the same.This example shows how to use mesmo to express doing the same action.Tatoeba #6958174 by Ricardo14, translation #2522530 by CM
- Eu decidi o mesmo.I decided the same.This example demonstrates using mesmo to describe a decision.Tatoeba #5165624 by ajdavidl, translation #4497150 by CK
- O mesmo de sempre.Same as usual.This example shows a common way to say something is the same as usual using mesmo.Tatoeba #5876952 by sergiomelo, translation #274152 by shekitten
- Igual ao modelo anterior.Same as the previous model.
- A situação é igual para todos.The situation is the same for everyone.
- O vestido que ela está usando é idêntico ao meu.The dress she's wearing is identical to mine.
- Os resultados dos testes foram idênticos nos dois grupos.The test results were the same in both groups.
- O jogo foi mesmo emocionante!The game was really exciting!
- Você está vestido igualzinho ao seu irmão!You are dressed exactly like your brother!
- O cabelo dela é igualzinho ao seu.Her hair is just like yours.
- A história é a mesma de sempre.It's the same old story.
- Eles têm o mesmo carro.They have the same car.
- 594 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are talking about their new apartments.
- MarianaVocê mora no mesmo bairro que eu?Do you live in the same neighborhood as me?
- GabrielNão, mas eu frequento o mesmo clube.No, but I frequent the same club.
- MarianaQue coincidência!What a coincidence!
- GabrielSim, eu te vejo sempre lá.Yes, I see you there always.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “same” translations and entries mesmo, o mesmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mesmo, o, o mesmo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
