Welcome to Thomas’s Classroom
Each word with a plain meaning, natural examples, the words it goes with, and notes for Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish speakers.
Translations and notes in
The number 5.
Goes withfive minutesfive years oldfive o’clockhigh fivefifth
PortuguêscincoFor the v, your top teeth touch your bottom lip. Fifth is 5th: “the fifth floor.”
EspañolcincoThe v is not a b: your top teeth touch your bottom lip. Fifth is 5th: “the fifth floor.”
The middle; a place for a special activity. This is the American spelling.
Goes withcity centerhealth centershopping centerin the centercommunity center
PortuguêscentroAmericans usually say downtown for the city center: “Let’s go downtown.” A shopping center is usually a mall.
EspañolcentroAmericans usually say downtown for the city center: “Let’s go downtown.” Centro comercial is usually a mall.
One time. Also: at one time in the past.
Goes withonce a weekat onceonce againonce moreonce upon a time
Portuguêsuma vezUma vez por semana is once a week, not one time for week. Twice is two times; after that, three times, four times.
Españoluna vezUna vez por semana is once a week, not one time for week. Twice is two times; after that, three times, four times.
A place for advanced study after high school.
Goes withuniversity studentstate universityat a universityuniversity degreeuniversity campus
Portuguêsuniversidade, faculdadeAmericans often say college for any university: “Where did you go to college?” University starts with a y sound, so it takes a: “a university.”
EspañoluniversidadAmericans often say college for any university: “Where did you go to college?” University starts with a y sound, so it takes a: “a university.”
Keep doing something; go on.
Goes withcontinue tocontinue withcontinue workingto be continuedcontinue on
PortuguêscontinuarIn everyday speech, keep + -ing is more common: “Keep going.” Continue can take to or -ing: “continue to work,” “continue working.”
Españolcontinuar, seguirSeguir + -ando or -iendo is keep + -ing: “She kept talking.” Continue can take to or -ing: “continue to work,” “continue working.”
Less than all others. At least means not less than.
Goes withat leastthe leastlast but not leastnot in the leastleast expensive
Portuguêsmenos, pelo menosPelo menos is at least: “at least three days.” The least expensive is o mais barato.
Españolmenos, al menos, por lo menosAl menos or por lo menos is at least: “at least three days.” The least expensive is el más barato.
True; actually existing; not fake.
Goes withreal lifereal estatefor realthe real worlda real problem
Portuguêsreal, verdadeiroNa vida real is in real life. Real estate is imóveis.
Españolreal, verdaderoEn la vida real is in real life. Real estate is bienes raíces.
The color of snow or milk.
Goes withwhite winewhite riceblack and whitethe White Housewhite bread
PortuguêsbrancoWh is just a w sound: white sounds like wite. Colors don’t take s: “white shirts.”
EspañolblancoWh is just a w sound: white sounds like wite, not gwite. Colors don’t take s: “white shirts.”
Make or become different; replace. Past: changed.
Goes withchange your mindchange clotheschange jobschange trainschange the subject
Portuguêsmudar, trocarTrocar de roupa is change clothes; mudar de ideia is change your mind. For a new home, use move: “I moved,” not “I changed.”
EspañolcambiarCambiarse de ropa is change clothes; cambiar de opinión is change your mind. For a new home, use move: “I moved,” not “I changed.”
Put in a place; fix a time or rule; arrange. Past: set.
Goes withset upset an alarmset the tableset a goalset off
Portuguêspôr, definir, configurarSet up is montar or configurar: “set up a meeting,” “set up the phone.” Pôr a mesa is set the table.
Españolponer, fijar, configurarSet up is montar or configurar: “set up a meeting,” “set up the phone.” Poner la mesa is set the table.
More than two, but not many.
Goes withseveral timesseveral yearsseveral ofseveral peoplefor several days
Portuguêsvários, váriasSeveral is a few more than a couple: “several times.” It has no singular: never “a several.”
Españolvarios, variasSeveral is a few more than a couple: “several times.” It has no singular: never “a several.”
Before now. It goes after the length of time.
Goes withyears agoa long time agoa week agonot long agoa while ago
Portuguêsatrás, háHá dois anos is two years ago: ago goes at the end, with the past simple: “I moved two years ago,” not “I moved ago two years.”
EspañolhaceHace dos años is two years ago: ago goes at the end, with the past simple: “I moved two years ago,” not “I moved ago two years.”
Facts about something. You can’t count it.
Goes withmore informationa piece of informationinformation aboutinformation deskpersonal information
Portuguêsinformação, informaçõesInformation has no plural: “some information,” not “informations” or “an information.”
EspañolinformaciónInformation has no plural: “some information,” not “informations” or “an information.”
Not anything.
Goes withnothing elsenothing specialnothing to dofor nothingnothing but
PortuguêsnadaUse one negative: “I said nothing” or “I didn’t say anything,” not “I didn’t say nothing.”
EspañolnadaUse one negative: “I see nothing” or “I don’t see anything,” not “I don’t see nothing.”
The people who live in one place or share something.
Goes withcommunity centerlocal communitythe communityonline communitycommunity college
PortuguêscomunidadeA community college is a two-year public college in the US, often cheaper than a university.
EspañolcomunidadA community college is a two-year public college in the US, often cheaper than a university.
Better than all others. The superlative of good.
Goes withbest friendthe bestbest wishesdo your bestbest of all
Portuguêsmelhor, o melhorMelhor can be better or best: “better than mine” (two things), “the best in the city” (all of them).
Españolmejor, el mejorMejor can be better or best: “better than mine” (two things), “the best in the city” (all of them).
Correct. Also on or toward the right side.
Goes withthat’s rightyou’re rightthe right timeall rightright hand
Portuguêscerto, correto, direitoIsso mesmo is “That’s right.” At the end of a sentence, right? is né?: “It’s Monday, right?”
Españolcorrecto, cierto, derechoEso es is “That’s right.” At the end of a sentence, right? is ¿verdad?: “It’s Monday, right?”
A thought or a plan.
Goes withgood ideano ideahave an ideaget the ideamain idea
PortuguêsideiaNão faço ideia is “I have no idea.” Say eye-DEE-uh, with the stress on DEE.
EspañolideaNi idea is “I have no idea.” Say eye-DEE-uh, with the stress on DEE.
Show the way; be in charge; cause a result. Past: led.
Goes withlead tolead a teamlead the waytake the leadlead a life
Portuguêsliderar, levar, conduzirThe verb lead sounds like leed. Levar a is lead to: “Stress can lead to health problems.”
Españoldirigir, liderar, llevarThe verb lead sounds like leed. Llevar a is lead to: “Stress can lead to health problems.”
All of a person or an animal.
Goes withthe human bodybody languagewhole bodybody partsbody temperature
PortuguêscorpoBody language is linguagem corporal. Everybody and nobody use body: “Everybody knows.”
EspañolcuerpoBody language is lenguaje corporal. Everybody and nobody use body: “Everybody knows.”
Get knowledge or a skill. Past: learned.
Goes withlearn tolearn aboutlearn fromlearn Englishlearn a lesson
PortuguêsaprenderThe student learns; the teacher teaches: “He taught me,” not “He learned me.”
EspañolaprenderThe student learns; the teacher teaches: “She taught me,” not “She learned me.”
A child. Informal and very common in American English.
Goes withthe kidshave kidsas a kidkids’ menujust kidding
Portuguêscriança, filhoKids is the everyday word for children: “Do you have kids?” Just kidding is só brincando.
Españolniño, hijoKids is the everyday word for children: “Do you have kids?” Just kidding is es broma.
Sixty seconds.
Goes witha few minuteswait a minutelast minutein a minuteany minute
PortuguêsminutoSay MIN-it: the u is quiet. Um minutinho is just a minute.
EspañolminutoSay MIN-it: the u is quiet. Un momentito is just a minute.
A piece of furniture with a flat top. Also a chart of information.
Goes withkitchen tablea table for twoset the tableat the tabledining table
Portuguêsmesa, tabelaTabela (of data) is also table or chart. A table for two is uma mesa para dois.
Españolmesa, tablaTabla (of data) is table or chart. A table for two is una mesa para dos.
If, when there are two choices.
Goes withwhether or notwhether … orwonder whetherdecide whetherask whether
PortuguêsseSe (for a choice) can be whether: “I’m not sure whether it’s open.” Whether sounds like weather.
EspañolsiSi (for a choice) can be whether: “I don’t know whether it’s open.” Whether sounds like weather.
Know the meaning of something. Past: understood.
Goes withunderstand whyI understandeasy to understandmake yourself understoodunderstand English
Portuguêsentender, compreenderNo continuous form: “I understand,” not “I’m understanding.” Entendeu? is “Do you understand?” or “Does that make sense?”
Españolentender, comprenderNo continuous form: “I understand,” not “I’m understanding.” ¿Entiendes? is “Do you understand?” or “Does that make sense?”
A group that works or plays together.
Goes withteam memberteam playersoccer teamwork as a teamteam building
Portuguêstime, equipeTime (in soccer) is team, not time: “my favorite team.”
EspañolequipoEquipo is team for people, but equipment (no plural) for tools: “sports equipment.”
The rear part of the body; the back side of something.
Goes withback painin the backon the backback seatback door
Portuguêscostas, fundosCostas is singular in English: “My back hurts,” not “My backs hurt.” Nos fundos is in the back.
Españolespalda, parte de atrásWith body parts, use my: “My back hurts” (me duele la espalda). In the back is atrás.
Look at something for a time, like TV or a game. Past: watched.
Goes withwatch TVwatch a moviewatch outwatch the gamewatch your step
Portuguêsassistir, ver, observarAssistir is watch: “I watched the game,” not “I assisted the game.” Watch out is cuidado!
Españolmirar, verVer la tele is watch TV: “I watch TV,” not “I see TV.” Watch out is ¡cuidado!
With each other.
Goes withwork togetherget togethertogether withall togetherput together
Portuguêsjuntos, juntasTogether never changes: “They’re together,” never “togethers.” Get together is reunir-se.
Españoljuntos, juntasTogether never changes: “They’re together,” never “togethers.” Get together is reunirse or juntarse.
Come after; obey; pay attention to. Past: followed.
Goes withfollow upfollow the rulesfollow instructionsas followsfollow someone online
PortuguêsseguirFollow someone online is seguir. Seguir em frente is go straight, not follow in front.
EspañolseguirFollow someone online is seguir. Seguir derecho is go straight, not follow straight.
In or to many places; nearby; in a circle.
Goes withturn aroundlook aroundaround herewalk aroundmove around
Portuguêspor aí, em voltaPor aqui is around here: “Is there a bank around here?” Dar uma volta is walk around.
Españolpor aquí, alrededorPor aquí is around here: “Is there a bank around here?” Dar una vuelta is walk around.
Single; with no others of the same kind.
Goes withonly childthe only onethe only waythe only thingonly son
PortuguêsúnicoFilho único is an only child. The only (o único) goes before the noun: “the only way.”
EspañolúnicoHijo único is an only child. The only (el único) goes before the noun: “the only way.”
End an action; stay still. Past: stopped.
Goes withstop doingstop bybus stopstop forcan’t stop
PortuguêspararStop + -ing ends an action: “I stopped smoking.” Stop + to pauses to do something: “I stopped to buy coffee.”
Españolparar, dejar deDejar de is stop + -ing: “I stopped smoking,” not “I stopped to smoke” (that means pararse para fumar).
The front of the head. As a verb: deal with something hard.
Goes withface to faceface the problemmake a faceface maskkeep a straight face
Portuguêsrosto, caraCara is face, but in slang it is guy: “That guy,” not “That face.” Face to face is cara a cara.
Españolcara, rostroCara a cara is face to face. Face is also a verb: “face the truth” (enfrentar la verdad).
Any thing at all. Used in questions and negatives.
Goes withanything elseanything fornot anythinganything butif anything
Portuguêsalguma coisa, nada, qualquer coisaIn questions, alguma coisa is anything: “Anything else?” With not, nada is anything: “I didn’t see anything.”
Españolalgo, nada, cualquier cosaIn questions, algo is anything: “Anything else?” With not, nada is anything: “I didn’t see anything.”
For everyone; run by the government.
Goes withpublic transportationpublic schoolin publicpublic holidaythe public
PortuguêspúblicoA public school in the US is a free government school (escola pública). In public is em público.
EspañolpúblicoA public school in the US is a free government school (escuela pública). In public is en público.
About people and society; about spending time with others.
Goes withsocial mediasocial lifesocial workersocial skillssocial event
PortuguêssocialSay SO-shul, not so-see-AL. Redes sociais is social media.
EspañolsocialSay SO-shul, not so-see-AL. Redes sociales is social media.
Before now, or sooner than expected.
Goes withalready donealready knowalready gonealready herehave already
PortuguêsjáJá (done before now) is already: “I’ve already finished.” In questions, já is usually yet: “Have you finished yet?”
EspañolyaYa (done before now) is already: “I’ve already finished.” In questions, ya is usually yet: “Have you finished yet?”
A mother or father.
Goes withmy parentssingle parentnew parentsparent-teacher meetingparents-in-law
Portuguêspai, mãe, paisMeus pais is my parents, not my fathers. Parentes (relatives) is a different word.
Españolpadre, madre, padresMis padres is my parents, not my fathers. Parientes (relatives) is a different word.
Say words; use a language. Past: spoke, spoken.
Goes withspeak Englishspeak tospeak upspeak withgenerally speaking
PortuguêsfalarSpeak a language, talk to a person: “I speak Portuguese,” “I talked to my boss.” No the: “speak English,” not “speak the English.”
EspañolhablarSpeak a language, talk to a person: “I speak Spanish,” “I talked to my boss.” No the: “speak English,” not “speak the English.”
Make something new.
Goes withcreate jobscreate a problemcreate an accountcreate a plancreate space
PortuguêscriarCriar filhos is raise children, not create children: “I was raised in Recife.”
EspañolcrearCriar (children or animals) is raise, not create: “I was raised in Monterrey.”
A room or building where people work at desks.
Goes within the officeoffice hourspost officehead officedoctor’s office
Portuguêsescritório, consultórioConsultório is a doctor’s office in American English: “I’m at the doctor’s office.”
Españoloficina, consultorioOficina is office, but consultorio is a doctor’s office: “I’m at the doctor’s office.”
Let someone do something; permit.
Goes withallow someone tobe allowed tonot allowedallow time forallow me
Portuguêspermitir, deixarAllow + person + to: “They allowed me to stay,” not “allowed me stay.” Allow rhymes with how.
Españolpermitir, dejarAllow + person + to: “They allowed me to stay,” not “allowed that I stay.” Allow rhymes with how.
A point on a scale. Also a floor of a building.
Goes withEnglish levelhigh levellevel ofsea levelnext level
PortuguêsnívelQual é o seu nível? is “What’s your level?” Nível superior (education) is college level.
Españolnivel¿Cuál es tu nivel? is “What’s your level?” A nivel de often means in terms of, not at the level of.
Look at and understand written words. Past: read (said red).
Goes withread a bookread aboutread aloudread the newsread between the lines
PortuguêslerThe past is spelled read but said red: “Yesterday I read (red) a good article.”
EspañolleerThe past is spelled read but said red: “Yesterday I read (red) a good article.”
Use money; pass time. Past: spent.
Goes withspend moneyspend timespend onspend the nightspend the day
Portuguêsgastar, passarPassar tempo is spend time: “I spent two hours there,” not “I passed two hours.”
Españolgastar, pasarPasar tiempo is spend time: “I spent two hours there,” not “I passed two hours.”
A human being. The usual plural is people.
Goes witha nice personper personin persona people personmorning person
PortuguêspessoaThe everyday plural is people, not persons: “three people.” In person is pessoalmente.
EspañolpersonaThe everyday plural is people, not persons: “three people.” In person is en persona.
The part of a room or building that opens and closes.
Goes withfront doornext dooropen the doorknock on the doordoor to door
PortuguêsportaNext door is ao lado: “my neighbor next door.” Answer the door is atender a porta.
EspañolpuertaNext door is al lado: “the house next door.” Answer the door is abrir la puerta when someone knocks.
Certain. Also: yes, of course.
Goes withmake sureI’m surenot surefor suresure thing
Portuguêscerto, claroTenho certeza is “I’m sure,” not “I have sure.” Sure! is a friendly claro!
EspañolseguroEstoy seguro is “I’m sure.” Sure! is a friendly ¡claro! Make sure is asegurarse: “Make sure you lock the door.”
Put something with something else; say more.
Goes withadd toadd upadd saltadd moreadd on
Portuguêsadicionar, acrescentarAdd has a short a, like ad. Add up is somar, or fazer sentido: “It doesn’t add up.”
Españolañadir, agregar, sumarAdd has a short a, like ad. Add up is sumar, or tener sentido: “It doesn’t add up.”
A road in a town or city.
Goes withon the streetmain streetcross the streetstreet foodone-way street
PortuguêsruaAmericans live on a street, not in a street: “I live on Elm Street.” Street starts with str, not estr.
EspañolcalleAmericans live on a street, not in a street: “I live on Elm Street.” Street starts with str, not estr.
Used in such as, to give examples.
Goes withsuch assuch as thesethings such as
Portuguêscomo, tal comoComo (for examples) is such as or like: “cities such as Rio.” Don’t use as alone: not “cities as Rio.”
Españolcomo, tal comoComo (for examples) is such as or like: “cities such as Lima.” Don’t use as alone: not “cities as Lima.”
The past, or the study of it.
Goes withhistory classworld historymake historyfamily historyin history
PortuguêshistóriaHistory is the past; a story is something you tell: “a history class,” “a bedtime story.”
EspañolhistoriaHistory is the past; a story is something you tell: “a history class,” “a funny story.”
A social event with friends. Also a political group.
Goes withbirthday partyhave a partythrow a partyparty forpolitical party
Portuguêsfesta, partidoFesta is party: “have a party” or “throw a party,” not “make a party.” Partido (in politics) is also party.
Españolfiesta, partidoFiesta is party: “have a party” or “throw a party,” not “make a party.” Partido (in politics) is also party.
Get bigger; make plants grow; become. Past: grew, grown.
Goes withgrow upgrow fastgrow oldgrow vegetablesa growing number
Portuguêscrescer, cultivarCresci em is “I grew up in,” not “I grew in.” Grow vegetables is cultivar or plantar.
Españolcrecer, cultivarCrecí en is “I grew up in,” not “I grew in.” Grow vegetables is cultivar.
Why something happens.
Goes withthe reason forthe reason whyfor some reasongood reasonno reason
Portuguêsrazão, motivoTer razão is be right, not have reason: “You’re right.” The reason for is o motivo de.
Españolrazón, motivoTener razón is be right, not have reason: “You’re right.” The reason for is el motivo de.
The early part of the day, before noon.
Goes within the morninggood morningthis morningtomorrow morningevery morning
PortuguêsmanhãIn the morning, but on Monday morning: “See you on Monday morning.” Amanhã de manhã is tomorrow morning.
EspañolmañanaMañana is both morning and tomorrow; tomorrow morning is mañana por la mañana. Say on Monday morning, not in Monday morning.
Make something not closed; start for business. Past: opened.
Goes withopen the dooropen an accountopen lateopen upopen a file
PortuguêsabrirOpen is also an adjective: “Is the store open?” (está aberta?), not “Is the store opened?”
EspañolabrirOpen is also an adjective: “Is the store open?” (¿está abierta?), not “Is the store opened?”
Inside; before the end of a time or distance.
Goes withwithin reachwithin walking distancewithin a weekwithin the limitfrom within
Portuguêsdentro de, em atéWithin 24 hours is em até 24 horas. In 24 hours means after 24 hours (daqui a 24 horas).
Españoldentro de, en un plazo deWithin 24 hours is en un plazo de 24 horas. In 24 hours means after 24 hours (dentro de 24 horas).
A difference. Also coins, or the money you get back.
Goes witha big changekeep the changefor a changeclimate changesmall change
Portuguêsmudança, trocoTroco is change: “Here’s your change.” Mudança (of home) is a move: “The move was hard.”
Españolcambio, vueltoVuelto or cambio (money back) is change: “Keep the change.” Cambio de casa is a move.
Even though; but.
Goes withalthough it wasalthough noteven though
Portuguêsembora, apesar de queEmbora takes the subjunctive; although takes a normal verb, and no but: “Although it was late, we stayed.”
EspañolaunqueDon’t add but after although: “Although it rained, we went,” not “Although it rained, but we went.”
Move on foot. Past: walked.
Goes withwalk towalk the doggo for a walkwalk aroundwalking distance
Portuguêsandar, caminharWalk is only on foot (andar de carro is drive or ride). The l is silent: walk sounds like wok.
Españolcaminar, andarWalk is only on foot (andar en carro is drive or ride). The l is silent: walk sounds like wok.
New information; reports on TV, radio, and online.
Goes withgood newsbad newsthe newsnews storywatch the news
Portuguêsnotícias, novidadeNews looks plural but takes a singular verb and no a: “The news is good,” “some news,” not “a news.”
Españolnoticias, noticiaNews looks plural but takes a singular verb and no a: “The news is good,” “a piece of news,” not “a news.”
How well your body and mind are.
Goes withhealth carehealth insurancemental healthin good healthhealth center
PortuguêssaúdeSaúde! after a sneeze is “Bless you!”; for a toast, say “Cheers!” Health is a noun; the adjective is healthy.
Españolsalud¡Salud! after a sneeze is “Bless you!”; for a toast, say “Cheers!” Health is a noun; the adjective is healthy.
A place where a judge decides legal cases. Also a place to play some sports.
Goes withgo to courtin courttennis courtthe Supreme Courtcourt case
Portuguêstribunal, quadraQuadra (for sports) is court: “a basketball court.” For soccer, say field: “a soccer field.”
Españoltribunal, corte, canchaCancha (for some sports) is court: “a tennis court.” For soccer, say field: “a soccer field.”
Power or strength. Also a group such as the police or the army.
Goes withby forcepolice forceworkforcethe Air Forceforce of habit
PortuguêsforçaForça de vontade is willpower. The verb force is obrigar: “Nobody forced me.”
EspañolfuerzaFuerza de voluntad is willpower. The verb force is obligar: “Nobody forced me.”
Near the beginning; before the usual time. Earlier, earliest.
Goes withearly morningearly in the morningearly ontoo earlyearly bird
Portuguêscedo, adiantadoCedo and adiantado (before the time) are both early: “You’re early!” Early in the morning is de manhã cedo.
EspañoltempranoTemprano is early: “You’re early!” Early in the morning is temprano por la mañana. An early bird is un madrugador.
The same man or boy as the subject. Also: alone, without help.
Goes withby himselffor himselftalk to himselfenjoy himselfsee for himself
Portuguêsele mesmo, seBy himself is sozinho: “He lives by himself.” Many verbs with se take no pronoun in English: “He got up,” not “He got himself up.”
Españolél mismo, seBy himself is solo: “He lives by himself.” Many verbs with se take no pronoun in English: “He got up,” not “He got himself up.”
The mixture of gases we breathe; the sky.
Goes withfresh airby airair conditioningair pollutionin the air
PortuguêsarAr-condicionado is air conditioning or AC. Air rhymes with hair.
EspañolaireAire acondicionado is air conditioning or AC. Air has one syllable and rhymes with hair.
Not high; small in amount. Lower, lowest.
Goes withlow pricelow costlow batterylow levelrunning low
PortuguêsbaixoBaixo for people is short: “He’s short,” not “He’s low.” Low is for prices, levels, and sounds.
EspañolbajoBajo for people is short: “She’s short,” not “She’s low.” Low is for prices, levels, and sounds.
Earlier than the time when.
Goes withbefore youbefore Ilong beforejust beforebefore it’s too late
Portuguêsantes que, antes deNo will after before for the future: “Text me before you leave,” not “before you will leave.”
Españolantes de queSpanish uses the subjunctive (antes de que salgas). English uses the present: “Text me before you leave.”
Painting, drawing, music, and other creative work.
Goes withart museumwork of artmodern artart classthe arts
PortuguêsarteArt in general has no the: “I love art,” not “I love the art.”
EspañolarteArt in general has no the: “I love art,” not “I love the art.”
What happens because of something; a score or an answer.
Goes withas a resulttest resultsthe result ofgood resultsfinal result
PortuguêsresultadoComo resultado is as a result. Say ri-ZULT, with the stress on the second part.
EspañolresultadoComo resultado is as a result. Say ri-ZULT, with the stress on the second part.
A very short time; a particular time.
Goes withat the momentjust a momentfor the momentthe moment Ia moment ago
PortuguêsmomentoNo momento is at the moment, not in the moment: “He’s not here at the moment.”
EspañolmomentoEn este momento is at the moment, not in this moment: “She’s not here at the moment.”
Say you will give or do something.
Goes withoffer helpoffer a joboffer tospecial offeroffer advice
PortuguêsoferecerOffer + to + verb: “She offered to help,” not “She offered help me.”
EspañolofrecerOffer + to + verb: “He offered to drive,” not “He offered that he drives.”
Used in both … and, to join two things.
Goes withboth … andboth men and womenboth now and later
Portuguêstanto … quantoTanto … quanto is both … and: “both adults and children,” not “so adults as children.”
Españoltanto … comoTanto … como is both … and: “both adults and children,” not “so much adults as children.”
Keep in your mind; not forget. Past: remembered.
Goes withremember toremember doingif I remember correctlyremember meas far as I remember
Portuguêslembrar, lembrar-se deNo of after remember: “I remember him,” not “I remember of him.” Remember to is don’t forget; remember -ing is a memory.
Españolrecordar, acordarse deNo of after remember: “I remember her,” not “I remember of her.” Remember to is don’t forget; remember -ing is a memory.
Careful study to find new facts. You can’t count it.
Goes withdo researchresearch onmarket researchresearch showsresearch center
PortuguêspesquisaResearch is uncountable: “some research,” not “a research” or “researches.” Fazer pesquisa is do research.
EspañolinvestigaciónResearch is uncountable: “some research,” not “a research” or “researches.” Investigar is research or look into.
As much as needed. Goes after adjectives.
Goes withgood enoughbig enoughold enoughfast enoughfair enough
Portuguêssuficiente, o bastanteEnough goes after an adjective but before a noun: “big enough,” “enough time.”
Españolsuficiente, bastanteEnough goes after an adjective but before a noun: “big enough,” “enough time.”
A female child or a young woman.
Goes withlittle girlbaby girlgirlfriendgirls’ nighta young girl
Portuguêsmenina, garota, moçaGirl rhymes with world. For adult women at work, woman is usually more respectful than girl.
Españolniña, chica, muchachaGirl rhymes with world. For adult women at work, woman is usually more respectful than girl.
A male child or a young man.
Goes withlittle boybaby boyboyfriendboys and girlsoh boy
Portuguêsmenino, garoto, rapazOh boy! shows surprise, like nossa! It isn’t about a boy at all.
Españolniño, chico, muchachoOh boy! shows surprise, like ¡vaya! It isn’t about a boy at all.
Be first in a game or contest; get a prize. Past: won.
Goes withwin a gamewin a prizewin moneywin an awardwin the lottery
Portuguêsganhar, vencerGanhar is win (a game, a prize) or earn (money for work): “I earn $20 an hour,” not “I win $20 an hour.” Won sounds like one.
EspañolganarGanar is win (a game, a prize) or earn (money for work): “I earn $20 an hour,” not “I win $20 an hour.” Won sounds like one.
What people and animals eat.
Goes withfast foodstreet foodfood courthealthy foodfood and drink
PortuguêscomidaFood is usually uncountable: “I love Brazilian food,” not “Brazilian foods.” Comida caseira is home cooking.
EspañolcomidaFood is usually uncountable: “I love Peruvian food,” not “Peruvian foods.” Comida casera is home cooking.
From one side to the other; on the other side.
Goes withacross the streetacross the countryacross fromcome acrossall across
Portuguêsatravés de, do outro lado deDo outro lado da rua is across the street: “The pharmacy is across the street.”
Española través de, al otro lado deEnfrente de is often across from: “The pharmacy is across from the bank.”
A man. Informal. You guys means all of you.
Goes withnice guyyou guysthe guy whoa good guythis guy
Portuguêscara, rapazCara is guy: “He’s a cool guy.” You guys is vocês, for men and women.
Españoltipo, chavo, chicoYou guys is ustedes, for men and women: “Are you guys ready?”
Number two in order. Also one sixtieth of a minute.
Goes withsecond floorwait a secondsecond timesecond-handsecond language
PortuguêssegundoIn American English, the second floor is one floor above the street (o primeiro andar in Brazil).
EspañolsegundoIn American English, the second floor is one floor above the street (el primer piso in many countries).
Can do something. Used in be able to.
Goes withbe able tonot able toable to helpbetter ableable to afford
PortuguêscapazBe able to works in tenses where can doesn’t: “I’ll be able to,” “I’ve been able to.” Not “I will can.”
EspañolcapazBe able to works in tenses where can doesn’t: “I’ll be able to,” “I’ve been able to.” Not “I will can.”
In the direction of; about. American English usually says toward, not towards.
Goes withtoward the endwalk towardtoward the doorattitude towardwork toward
Portuguêsem direção a, paraEm direção a is toward: “He walked toward me.” Toward the end is perto do final.
EspañolhaciaHacia is toward: “She walked toward me.” Toward the end is hacia el final.
Perhaps; possibly.
Goes withmaybe notmaybe latermaybe next timeor maybemaybe so
PortuguêstalvezTalvez takes the subjunctive; maybe uses a normal verb: “Maybe he’s sick.” Maybe is one word; may be is two.
Españolquizás, tal vezTal vez often takes the subjunctive; maybe uses a normal verb: “Maybe she’s busy.” Maybe is one word; may be is two.
A series of steps to do or make something.
Goes withthe process ofin the processstep-by-step processapplication processlearning process
PortuguêsprocessoProcesso (in court) is lawsuit or case. Say PRAH-sess, with the stress first.
EspañolprocesoProceso (in court) is trial or case. Say PRAH-sess, with the stress first.
Away from a surface or a place.
Goes withget offoff the tableoff the roadoff the coastfall off
Portuguêsde, fora deDescer do ônibus is get off the bus; for a car, say get out of the car.
Españolde, fuera deBajarse del autobús is get off the bus; for a car, say get out of the car.
All things.
Goes witheverything elseeverything isthanks for everythingeverything’s fineeverything you need
PortuguêstudoEverything is singular: “Everything is ready,” not “Everything are ready.” Tudo bem? is “Is everything OK?” or “How are you?”
EspañoltodoEverything is singular: “Everything is ready,” not “Everything are ready.” ¿Todo bien? is “Is everything OK?”
Come into view; seem.
Goes withappear onappear to besuddenly appearit appears thatappear in
Portuguêsaparecer, parecerAparecer is appear or show up; in conversation, show up is more common: “He didn’t show up.”
Españolaparecer, parecerAparecer is appear or show up; in conversation, show up is more common: “He didn’t show up.”
How old someone or something is. Also a period of time.
Goes withat the age ofthe same ageage groupold agefor ages
Portuguêsidade, eraAge uses be: “I’m 30,” not “I have 30 years.” “How old are you?” is more common than “What’s your age?” For ages is há séculos.
Españoledad, épocaAge uses be: “I’m 30,” not “I have 30 years.” “How old are you?” is more common than “What’s your age?” For ages is hace siglos.
A plan or rule of an organization or a government.
Goes withreturn policycompany policyprivacy policyinsurance policygovernment policy
Portuguêspolítica, apólicePolítica (a rule) is policy; politics is the activity of government. Apólice de seguro is an insurance policy.
Españolpolítica, pólizaPolítica (a rule) is policy; politics is the activity of government. Póliza de seguro is an insurance policy.
Think about carefully; believe someone or something is.
Goes withconsider doingconsider itall things consideredconsider yourself luckyconsider the options
Portuguêsconsiderar, pensar emConsider + -ing: “I’m considering changing jobs,” not “considering to change.”
Españolconsiderar, pensar enConsider + -ing: “I’m considering changing jobs,” not “considering to change.”
With something as one part of the group.
Goes withincluding taxincluding menot includingincluding allincluding breakfast
Portuguêsincluindo, inclusiveInclusive (also) is even: “Everyone came, even John.” Including lists a part: “including tax.”
Españolincluyendo, incluidoIncluding lists a part: “including tax.” Incluso (also) is even: “Even my boss came.”
Very likely.
Goes withmost probablyprobably notwill probablyprobably rightvery probably
PortuguêsprovavelmenteProbably goes after will but before won’t: “I’ll probably go,” “I probably won’t go.”
EspañolprobablementeProbably goes after will but before won’t: “I’ll probably go,” “I probably won’t go.”
Teaching and learning, especially in schools.
Goes withhigher educationeducation systemphysical educationget an educationpublic education
Portuguêseducação, ensinoEducação (good manners) is manners or politeness: “He has good manners,” not “He has good education.”
EspañoleducaciónEducación (good manners) is manners or politeness: “She has good manners,” not “She has good education.”
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Word list and ranking: A Frequency Dictionary of Contemporary American English (Mark Davies and Dee Gardner, Routledge, 2010). Meanings, examples, word partners, translations, and notes are written for Thomas’s Classroom.