Eu gosto de caminhar na cidade.

I like to walk in the city.

Breakdown of Eu gosto de caminhar na cidade.

• eu: I
• gostar de: to like
• caminhar: to walk
• na: in
• a cidade: the city

Questions & Answers about Eu gosto de caminhar na cidade.

Why is there a “de” after “gosto”?

In Portuguese, the verb gostar is followed by the preposition de when it is connected to an object or an action. So we say “Eu gosto de…” before a noun, a pronoun, or an infinitive verb (like caminhar).

Could I say “Eu gosto caminhar na cidade” without “de”?

No. In standard Portuguese, you must use de with gostar. Simply saying “Eu gosto caminhar na cidade” would be considered incorrect.

Why is it “na cidade” and not “em a cidade”?

In Portuguese, the preposition em contracts with the article a to form na. So “em + a = na”. That is why you say “na cidade” instead of “em a cidade.”

Is “caminhar” the same as “andar”?

They are similar but can have slight nuances. Caminhar emphasizes the act of walking (often for exercise or leisure), while andar can mean walking or simply moving around. In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably, but caminhar sometimes feels more formal.

Could I use “passear” instead of “caminhar” here?

Yes, but it slightly changes the meaning. Passear often implies strolling or going out for leisure, while caminhar is more focused on the act of walking itself. You could say “Eu gosto de passear na cidade” to mean “I like to stroll around the city,” which suggests a more relaxed or recreational walk.