How to Learn Portuguese Verbs
Learning a new language is about memorizing everyday words such as colors and numbers. Without verbs, though, you can't put together sentences. Portuguese is no exception: You have to learn the basics about verbs, like the infinitive forms, but you also need to memorize the different conjugations in the present, future and past tenses.
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Instructions
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Purchase a beginner's guide to learning Portuguese, like the "Ultimate Portuguese Beginner-Intermediate" by Living Language or "Beginner's Portuguese: An Easy Introduction" by Teach Yourself. Read through and complete the exercises about the infinitive verb form (e.g., "to walk," which translates to "andar.")
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Use the guides to learn how to conjugate the verbs, i.e., transform the infinitive form into the first-, second- and third-person singular and plural forms. For example, "I walk," "You walk," "He walks," "We walk," and "They walk" is conjugated as "Eu ando," "Tu andas," "Ele anda," "Nos andamos" and "Eles andam" respectively.
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Enroll in a community education or introductory college Portuguese course to learn the future and simple past tenses of Portuguese verbs.
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Take an intermediate level course in Portuguese to learn additional verb tenses such as the perfect, future pluperfect and conditional. In this course you will also learn that In the Portuguese language, there are different moods that may change some conjugations. These include the indicative, which states a fact; the subjuntive, which expresses a statement that may be possible; and the imperative, which is used for commands.
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Use The Portuguese Machine to help you conjugate verbs in your writing. (See Resources.) Type in the infinitive form and it will conjugate it into the present, future and past tenses of each verb, as well as other forms.
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Place an ad for a Portuguese tutor. With this tutor, you can practice your speaking and listening skills. You can also practice with someone whose first or second language is Portuguese if you can't find a tutor.
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Take a trip to Portugal, Brazil, or another country where the official language is Portuguese. Meet people and try out your skills in conversations with them. Immerse yourself in the language by visiting small shops and markets away from the tourist spots where there are fewer opportunities to speak or read English. Take a pocket guide with you such as "The AA Phrasebook Portuguese" in case you forget a verb or encounter one with which you are unfamiliar.
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Tips & Warnings
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