Focused learning guide
Portuguese contractions: do, da, no, na, ao and à
Combine de, em and a with articles naturally and understand why contractions appear in names, locations and everyday questions.
Portuguese normally contracts several prepositions with definite articles: de + o = do, em + a = na and a + a = à.
Learn the grid through meaning
Use do/da/dos/das for relationships and origins, no/na/nos/nas for location, and ao/à/aos/às in direction and selected verb frames. Build them around places you actually visit.
Contractions extend beyond articles
Forms such as dele, nessa, deste combine prepositions with pronouns or demonstratives. Add them after the article grid is automatic.
Do not translate one English preposition
Portuguese verb and noun constructions select their own prepositions. Record the full frame—gostar de, for example—not an isolated word.
Questions learners ask
Frequently asked questions
Why does à have a grave accent?
It marks the contraction of the preposition a with feminine article a, not word stress.
Is em o acceptable?
Standard Portuguese normally requires no.
Do place names always take articles?
No. Article use with countries, cities and institutions must be learned from usage.