Start with the person, then choose the verb
The core reference is eu sou, você é, ele é, ela é, nós somos, vocês são, eles são and elas são. A form can belong to several subjects. Keep the subject visible while learning, rather than trying to infer every person from the verb alone.
Elas são médicas.
They are doctors; the group is female.
Why a gente does not take somos here
The expression a gente includes the speaker and other people, but its usual agreement in this conversational pattern is singular. Changing the subject expression changes the grammar even when the people stay the same. Compare nós somos with a gente é.
A gente é de Natal.
We are from Natal.
Keep the accents, and keep the scope clear
The accent distinguishes the verb é from e, meaning and. The tilde in são is also part of the spelling. These examples use ser for identity, origin and roles; they are not a rule for every description of a state or location. Regional tu and formal address patterns need their own context.
Eu sou médica e ela é professora.
I am a doctor and she is a teacher.
Practise, then recall it later
The matching grammar block includes guided practice, a separate mastery check and spaced review. The first 10 blocks of each course are free; other available blocks require course access or an eligible trial.
Explore this grammar blockBuild on this pattern
References and scope
Original explanations and examples informed by grammar references. The level assignment organizes practice; these short tasks do not certify complete CEFR proficiency.
- Português para principiantes — Lição 1University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Português para principiantes — Lição 12University of Wisconsin–Madison