Eu gosto de escutar a voz dela.

I like to listen to her voice.

Breakdown of Eu gosto de escutar a voz dela.

• eu: I
• gostar de: to like
• escutar: to listen
• a voz: the voice
• dela: her

Questions & Answers about Eu gosto de escutar a voz dela.

Why do we use de after gosto in this sentence?

In Portuguese, the verb gostar almost always requires the preposition de to indicate what is liked. So you’ll say gosto de something or someone. That’s why here we have Eu gosto de escutar...

What is the difference between escutar and ouvir?

Both mean “to hear” or “to listen,” but escutar often suggests paying active attention (actively listening), while ouvir can be more passive (simply hearing). In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably, though.

Why do we use a voz dela instead of a sua voz?

In Brazilian Portuguese, a voz dela clearly refers to “her voice,” while a sua voz can sometimes ambiguously mean “your voice” or “her/his/their voice,” depending on context. Using dela makes it unambiguous that it’s “her.”

Is it okay to leave out Eu and just say Gosto de escutar a voz dela?

Yes! Portuguese often allows dropping the subject pronoun when the context is clear. Gosto de escutar a voz dela is perfectly acceptable and will still be understood as Eu gosto de escutar a voz dela.

Could we say Eu gosto de ouvir a voz dela instead?

Absolutely. Since ouvir and escutar can be used interchangeably in many contexts, Eu gosto de ouvir a voz dela would also make sense. The nuance of giving full attention may be slightly different, but they’re both correct.