em

The Preposition "em" in Brazilian Portuguese

The Portuguese preposition em is an incredibly versatile word. In English, it usually translates to 'in', 'at', or 'on'. One of its most important features is that it combines (contracts) with articles and demonstrative pronouns.

1. Contractions

When em meets certain words, they merge into a single word:

• em + definite articles (o, a, os, as): no, na, nos, nas
• em + indefinite articles (um, uma, uns, umas): num, numa, nuns, numas
• em + demonstratives (este(s), esse(s), isso, etc.): neste(s), nesse(s), nisso, etc.

2. Expressing Location

Em (and its contractions) serves as a general preposition of location when an exact position isn't specified, covering the meanings of 'in', 'at', and 'on':

• Na Itália comem muita massa. (In Italy they eat a lot of pasta.)
• Ela leciona na Universidade Federal. (She teaches at the Federal University.)
• O jantar está na mesa. (Dinner is on the table.)

3. Expressing Movement

When indicating movement, em has two main applications:

• 'Into' or 'onto' (All registers): It is used to show getting into or onto something.
  Ela subiu na bicicleta e saiu pedalando. (She got onto the bike and rode away.)
• 'To' (Spoken language): In everyday colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, it frequently replaces 'a' or 'para' to mean 'to' a destination.
  Quantas vezes por semana você vai na academia? (How many times a week do you go to the gym?)

4. Personal Names and Professions

In colloquial speech, the contractions no/na are used with personal names or professions to mean 'at/to someone's house' or 'at/to the professional's office':

• Vou dormir na Júlia hoje à noite. (I am going to sleep at Julia's house tonight.)
• Ele vai no dentista amanhã. (He is going to the dentist tomorrow.)

5. Time Expressions

The preposition is widely used for time, but its English translation changes depending on the context:

• 'In' (Years, months, and seasons):
  em 2010 (in 2010)
  O ano letivo começa em março. (The school year begins in March.)
  Faz muito calor no verão. (It is very hot in the summer.)
• 'On' (Days of the week and dates):
  Ela volta na sexta. (She returns on Friday.)
  nos sábados (on Saturdays)
  Ele nasceu no dia 12 de fevereiro. (He was born on February 12.)

6. Margins of Increase or Decrease

When talking about statistics or prices, em translates to 'by' to express a margin of change:

• O preço do petróleo aumentou em 50% nos últimos seis meses. (The price of oil increased by 50% in the last six months.)

7. Specific Verb Collocations

Beyond general rules, em is frequently paired with specific verbs to create idiomatic meanings:

• Falar em (to talk about / to mention):
  falando nisso (speaking of which)
  Não quero nem falar em trabalho hoje. (I don't even want to talk about work today.)
• Votar em (to vote for):
  Em quem você vai votar? (Who are you going to vote for?)
  Eu vou votar nela. (I am going to vote for her.)
  Eles votaram no candidato da oposição. (They voted for the opposition candidate.)