Reference guide
Portuguese tense cheat sheet
Jump to any tense to review how it works, how to form it, and how it connects to the sentences inside the practice session.
Presente do indicativo
Presente do indicativo
Use this tense for actions happening now or habits that still hold true. It is the anchor tense you use most often in conversation.
Formation
Take the infinitive stem (removing -ar, -er, or -ir) and add the standard present endings: -o, -a/-e, -amos/-emos/-imos, -am/-em.
Tips
- Memorize irregular stems (ser, estar, ter, ir) separately—they appear constantly.
- Pair with time markers like 'agora', 'hoje', or 'sempre' for clarity.
Example
I go to Brazil every summer.
Eu vou para o Brasil todo verão.
Pretérito perfeito
Pretérito perfeito
Use this tense for completed actions in the past, especially when the time frame is clear or implied.
Formation
Remove the infinitive ending and add -ei/-i/-i for 'eu', -ou/-eu/-iu for 'ele/ela', and -amos/-emos/-imos for 'nós'.
Tips
- Pair with specific time expressions such as 'ontem', 'na semana passada', or 'em 2019'.
- Watch for verbs that change spelling (ficar → fiquei).
Example
I went to Brazil last year.
Eu fui para o Brasil no ano passado.
Pretérito imperfeito
Pretérito imperfeito
Describes ongoing or repeated past actions, childhood memories, or scenes that set the stage for another event.
Formation
Add the endings -ava, -ia, -ávamos, -íamos, -avam, -iam directly to the infinitive stem.
Tips
- Use with frequency words like 'sempre', 'todo dia', or 'quando criança'.
- Great for contrasting with the pretérito perfeito to show interruption.
Example
I used to go to Brazil every summer.
Eu ia para o Brasil todo verão.