Ser in Present Tense in Portuguese

simple examples using the verb ser in the present tense in portuguese: eles são amigos!

What’s up, dear readers of A Dica do Dia! Today, we are going to examine the present tense of the Portuguese verb ser. This is the first verb we encounter on our Portuguese journey, and it’s essential to know when you produce your first sentences! So, join us and let’s learn all about the verb ser!

Present Tense of Ser: When We Use It

In Portuguese, you use the verb ser to describe something permanent or long-term. For example, you use it to describe someone’s nationality, profession, physical attributes, or anything that is considered difficult to change. If you want to describe something that changes regularly or easily (e.g. emotions), you have to use the verb estar.

Conjugation of verb ser in Portuguese: Eu sou, você é, ele/ela é, nós somos, vocês são, eles/elas são.

Examples of Ser in the Present Tense

Pay attention to the fact that, in the examples below, we describe qualities that are stable or permanent, like professions, physical attributes, personality traits, and more.

Examples for Professions:

  • Eu sou professor de português.
    • I am a Portuguese teacher.
  • Você é padeiro.
    • You are a baker.
  • Ela é astronauta.
    • She is an astronaut.
  • Vocês são médicos.
    • You are doctors.
  • Eles são assistentes.
    • They are assistants.

Examples for Physical Attributes:

  • Eu sou loiro.
    • I am blond.
  • Você é bonito.
    • You are beautiful.
  • Ele é alto.
    • He is tall.
  • Vocês são ruivos.
    • You are ginger.
  • Elas são baixas.
    • They are short.

Examples For Other Characteristics:

  • Eu sou amigável.
    • I am friendly.
  • Você é calmo.
    • You are calm.
  • Ela é uma pessoa legal.
    • She is a nice person.
  • Nós somos amigos.
    • We are friends.
  • Vocês são trabalhadores.
    • You are workers.
  • Elas são alunos da Rio & Learn.
    • They are students at Rio & Learn.

Pronunciation for Ser in the Present Tense in Portuguese

Let’s look at some examples using the verb ser in the present tense with nationalities in Portuguese:

Eu sou brasileiro.
I am Brazilian.
Você é alemão?
Are you German?
Ela é francesa.
She is French.
Nós somos canadenses.
We are Canadian.
Vocês são árabe.
You are Arab.
Eles são italianos.
They are Italian.

Now you know how to use the verb ser when you talk about your nationality! How about we practice it a little more?

Exercises for Ser in the Present Tense

Complete the sentences below with the verb ser:

  1. Eu _________ brasileiro.
  2. Você _________ o diretor da empresa?
  3. A mesa _________ de madeira.
  4. Nós _________ católicos.
  5. Vocês não _________ americanos.
  6. Eles _________ amigos.
  7. Elas _________ casadas?
  8. Igor e Bruno _________ irmãos gêmeos.
  9. Diogo e eu _________ amigos há 10 anos.
  10. Maria _________ aluna do curso intensivo de português.

Now it’s your turn! Try to use the verb ser in sentences about the nationality, religion or profession of a person close to you. Remember that you can also take a look at the other conjugations of the verb ser in our other Dica.

Hugs from Rio de Janeiro!

Click in the links below to see more related Dicas
Verb Ser Exercises in Portuguese
Verb Ser Conjugation in Portuguese
Verb Estar Conjugation in Portuguese

Answers

  1. Eu sou brasileiro.
  2. Você é o diretor da empresa?
  3. A mesa é de madeira.
  4. Nós somos católicos.
  5. Vocês não são americanos.
  6. Eles são amigos.
  7. Elas são casadas?
  8. Igor e Bruno são irmãos gêmeos.
  9. Diogo e eu somos amigos há 10 anos.
  10. Maria é aluna do curso intensivo de português.

This post is also available in: English Português (Portuguese) Español (Spanish)

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